A London court has said that the founder of UK software firm Autonomy Mike Lynch can be extradited to the US to face charges of conspiracy and fraud.

Lynch sold Autonomy to US computer giant Hewlett Packard (HP) for $11 billion in 2011.

He rejects allegations that he fraudulently inflated the value of Autonomy before the sale.

His lawyer, Chris Morvillo of Clifford Chance, said Dr Lynch was disappointed by the ruling and would appeal.

Dr Lynch has been facing civil charges at the High Court in London, where HP is suing him for damages over the deal. But separately, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) is pursuing criminal charges against him.

Judge Michael Snow said he would deliver his ruling in that action without awaiting the civil verdict, saying it was “of limited significance in the case”. Dr Lynch was released on bail by the judge in London.

“Dr Lynch is frustrated that the court has ruled against him without waiting for the High Court’s judgement in the civil case that examined all these issues,” said Morvillo.

“At the request of the US Department of Justice, the court has ruled that a British citizen who ran a British company listed on the London Stock Exchange should be extradited to America over allegations about his conduct in the UK.

“We say this case belongs in the UK. If the home secretary nonetheless decides to order extradition, Dr Lynch intends to appeal.”