Two men appeared in court in Britain yesterday charged with plotting to defraud two banks of more than $30 million. Mr Harold Morton (60), of Merseyside and Mr Wallace Ornstein (59), of north London, are alleged to have conspired to defraud Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Intercontinental Bank of $30.5 million (€34.34 million).

Both men spoke only to confirm their personal details during a five-minute hearing at Liverpool Magistrates Court.

The pair were remanded on unconditional bail to appear before the same court on February 8th next.