RETIRED businessman Christopher Tappin is today being extradited to America to face accusations he sold batteries for Iranian missile parts.

Mr Tappin is due to arrive at Heathrow police station at 9.30am, where he will be taken into the custody of two US air marshals and flown to a Texas jail.

The 65-year-old denies the charges and claims he is the victim of entrapment in a "sting" organised by US government agents.

Earlier this week the case was brought to the attention of Prime Minister David Cameron by Mr Tappin's MP Jo Johnson.

At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Mr Johnson asked what steps the PM was considering to reform the US-UK extradition treaty, which he described as "unfair" to Mr Tappin.

Mr Cameron replied: "Obviously Chris Tappin has been through a number of processes, including those of the magistrates court and the High Court, and the Home Secretary has thoroughly considered his case.

"My hon. Friend has also raised the more general issue of Sir Scott Baker’s report on the extradition arrangements, which he has completed and which we are now considering.

"He did not call for fundamental reform, but my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will examine his findings carefully, and will also take into account the views of Parliament that have been expressed in recent debates.

"Of course, balancing the arguments is vital, but I think it important for us to remember at the same time why we enter into these extradition treaties: to show respect for each other’s judicial processes, and to make sure that people who are accused of crimes can be tried for those crimes—and Britain can benefit from that as well.

"A proper, sober, thoughtful review needs to take place, and this case shows why."

Reacting to the PM's comments, Mr Tappin said: "He didn't really address the problem at all.

"All he did was refer it to the Home Office.

"There was no definite answer. It's a bit of a shame but we have to try and be positive."

Mr Tappin has fought a long legal battle against extradition, which came to an end earlier this month when the European Court of Human Rights rejected his last-ditch plea to intervene.

The father-of-two subsequently hit out at the court, which he said would only consider his case if he was a terrorist.

Mr Tappin, president of the Kent Golf Union, is selling his house in Larch Dene, Farnborough Park, to pay for the American legal costs.

It could be five years before his case goes to trial.

He faces up to 35 years in jail if convicted.