Ex-teacher approved for extradition to UK on sexual abuse charges

Iain Wares faces 74 charges in Scotland

South Africa's justice ministry has approved the extradition of a former teacher accused of dozens of historic sexual abuse charges in Scotland.

Iain Wares, 85, has been accused of abuse by scores of former pupils of Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College, where he taught in the 1960s and 70s.

Mr Wares now lives in Cape Town, South Africa, where the High Court ruled last week that he could be extradited to face trial in Scotland.

Approving the ruling, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development said he should be "extradited soonest" to face the charges against him.

Mr Wares, who denies the charges, has fought against the extradition and his lawyers told the ministry they were considering whether to appeal the ruling.

However, the ministry of justice said it would "vehemently oppose" any further appeal.

In a judgement published last week, the High Court ruled Mr Wares could be extradited on three of seven charges raised in South Africa, which include lewd and indecent behaviour.

The judges said he could not be extradited on the remaining four charges because they were too far in the past and had timed out under South African law.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in Scotland has said he faces 74 charges.

BBC presenter Nicky Campbell is among those who have made allegations against the former teacher.

Prosecutors first requested his extradition in 2018, leading to his arrest in May 2019 on seven charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour.