A Brighton building contractor at the centre of an extradition row will appear in court in the US today.

Gary Mulgrew, a former banker, flew to the States from Gatwick yesterday with two others, to face charges of fraud in connection with the Enron scandal.

The "NatWest Three", as they have been dubbed, face up to two years in America awaiting trial.

Mr Mulgrew, 44, of Tichborne Street, met police at Croydon at 6am before travelling in a blacked-out van to Gatwick, where they were met by US marshals.

He was joined by former colleagues David Bermingham, 43, and Giles Darby, 44. The three ex-bankers are accused of an £11 million fraud following the collapse of the US energy company.

Their lawyer said: "They have said goodbye to their families and they have no idea when they are going to come back.

"It's all so unnecessary. This could easily have been tried in the UK.

"That's where the victim and all the witnesses are but the Government insisted on them being extradited on a very unfair, one-sided treaty."

Mr Mulgrew has been living and working in Brighton since he left his marital home in Sible Hedingham, Essex. He has been bringing up his son, Calum, 10, single-handedly.

He has made arrangements for his son to stay with his parents and his aunt and uncle.

Mr Mulgrew said: "I've brought him up on my own.

"I said goodbye to my mum and it is like taking out pieces of your heart one by one.

"I have no idea how long I will be away for. We are going to disappear for a few days as soon as we get there."

Mr Mulgrew said Tony Blair had given his family false hope in recent weeks.

He said: "I feel I have been extradited twice after people kept phoning me to tell me that Tony Blair was going to help."

Mr Mulgrew had spent Wednesday phoning friends before packing a small rucksack for the trip. The men were told to take only one change of clothes.

The trio arrived in Houston at 7.40pm British time last night. If granted bail today but required to stay in the US, their movements will be restricted.

Melanie Riley, leading the campaign to have the men freed, said yesterday: "We're all exhausted. We have worked very hard to prevent this happening so it's quite an emotional day."

It is alleged the three men advised their employer Greenwich NatWest to sell its stake in an Enron unit at below its market value.

They then left the bank and bought a stake in the unit, which they sold on at a much higher price. The men deny any wrongdoing.