UK seeking return of Kevin Spacey from US to face sexual assault charges

British authorities are pursuing the return of Kevin Spacey from the US to face sexual assault charges.

The international criminality directorate, a special Home Office unit, will act on behalf of police and prosecutors. Experts in extradition say US police may soon be sent to find Spacey, 62, and detain him on behalf of British authorities.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Thursday that it had authorised four charges of sexual assault against Spacey relating to alleged attacks against three males between 2005 and 2013, after an investigation by the Metropolitan police.

Vamos, now in private practice, said Spacey could be extradited in weeks if he does not contest extradition and months if he does. He said the US system made it harder to resist an extradition request than in Britain.

He also said Spacey would have greater protections if he were formally extradited than if he simply flew back to the UK voluntarily. Only the charges agreed by a US court could be brought against him in Britain, for example.

Spacey cannot be formally be charged until he returns to Britain, but British police have said the charges relate to alleged attacks against three males in London and Gloucestershire.

Two are alleged to involve a man now aged in his 40s in March 2005, and another a man who is now in his 30s in August 2008. Spacey is also alleged to have caused the latter to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. These alleged attacks all took place in London. The actor is also alleged to have sexually assaulted a male now in his 30s in Gloucestershire in April 2013.

Spacey was artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in London from 2004 to 2015, following acclaim and awards for an acting career during which he was hailed as one of the most skilled actors of his generation.

Spacey has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.