The Brazilian lawyer representing Ronnie Biggs cast doubts on widespread speculation the convicted train robber is ready to surrender and return to Britain.
Mr Wellington Mousinho, who represented Biggs in his successful challenge to Britain's extradition request, said he spoke with Biggs this morning and that he said nothing about returning to Britain.
Earlier, Scotland Yard said it had received an e-mail purporting to be from the ailing fugitive. Det Chief Supt John Coles said the communication was signed by Biggs and included a thumbprint.
The e-mail read: "I would like to give myself up to you. What I need is passport documentation to travel back to Britain. I am prepared to be arrested at the gate when I arrive at Heathrow airport and submit myself to the due process of the law."
But Mr Mousinho said at a press conference: "I don't believe my client has changed his mind and is ready to turn himself in. If he ever goes to Britain it will be under a pardon."
The Sunnewspaper claimed today that Biggs had expressed his desire to return to Britain in a recent interview.
Biggs escaped from Wandsworth prison in 1965 after serving 15 months of a 30-year sentence for his part in the robbery of a Glasgow-to-London mail train.
AP