A FUGITIVE businessman arrested after two decomposing bodies were discovered in his limousine last year is to be extradited for trial over the killings.

Durham-born Michael McCrea had been waiting to hear whether the authorities in Australia would authorise his return to Singapore, where detectives want to question him.

Mr McCrea, 45, a financial advisor, fled to Australia after the remains of his chauffeur and the driver's girlfriend were found in the boot and back seat of the vehicle in a Singapore multi-storey car park.

He was later arrested and has since been held on remand in a Melbourne jail.

Last night, a spokesman for the Australian government said: "The Minister for Justice and Customs has decided that Mr McCrea shall be extradited to Singapore."

Lawyers for Mr McCrea are challenging the decision in Melbourne's federal court.

A judge blocked a surrender warrant being implemented by the Singapore government until a court case to question its validity, set down for December 10, was held.

But if the court agrees with the decision, the father-of-four will be extradited.

McCrea, who lived in Penshaw before moving to Singapore in 1984, has been anxious for a decision to be made after spending 16 months on remand in maximum security Port Phillip Prison.

Death is the mandatory penalty for murder in Singapore, although in a bid to speed up the extradition, the Singapore Government has given assurances that McCrea would be spared hanging.

McCrea's lawyers said there were no guarantees and said that a provision in Australian law disallows extradition where the death penalty could be faced.

The businessman is alleged to have committed the double murder after an argument in his apartment. He claims he acted in self defence.