Dewani family 'very pleased' as bail granted

Relatives of a British newlywed facing extradition to South Africa accused of his wife's murder are "very pleased" he was granted bail, they said yesterday.

The South African authorities, who want to extradite wealthy businessman Shrien Dewani, 30, for conspiracy to murder new wife Anni, 28, claim he may flee if bailed. But a High Court judge disagreed and allowed the Bristol care home owner's bail application yesterday.

PR guru Max Clifford, who has been hired by the Dewani family, said: "Obviously, they are very pleased, particularly because the South African authorities opposed this and they put in front of Mr Justice Ouseley in the High Court all the reasons why he should go back and why he shouldn't be granted bail.

"However, the judge granted bail and that's important. They're pleased also that he is able to go home and continue his trauma and bereavement counselling. He is going to be surrounded by his loved ones and his family, who will support him."

Mr Dewani was released from London's Wandsworth prison subject to stringent bail conditions and 250,000 surety.

Mrs Dewani was found dead in the back of an abandoned taxi in a Cape Town township with a single bullet wound to her neck on 13 November. The South African authorities had appealed to the High Court against a decision earlier this week by a judge at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court to grant bail.

Their lawyers argued there were substantial grounds for suspecting Mr Dewani would not surrender for an extradition hearing later this month.

District Judge Howard Riddle said the "powerful facts" in favour of bail included Mr Dewani's co-operation with the South African police and then the UK police as rumours started of his involvement in the death of his wife.