Hewlett Packard confirms it will pursue £3bn claim against Mike Lynch: Tragic tech mogul’s widow could be liable as ex-minister condemns firm for ‘picking on a bereaved family’

Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) could sue the widow of British tech magnate Mike Lynch for up to £3 billion following his death in the Bayesian superyacht disaster.

The US company won a multibillion-pound claim in the UK High Court against Dr Lynch in 2022, accusing him of fraud in relation to the £8 billion purchase of his company Autonomy in 2011.

His death on August 19, when his £30million ship sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily, means his family could be liable for damages awarded by a judge.

HPE is expected to continue its lawsuit against his widow Angela Bacares to recover the money resulting from the ruling, despite the likely negative press for the company.

Dr Lynch, 59, who was acquitted in a separate US criminal trial in the Autonomy case in June, died on the yacht with his 18-year-old daughter Hannah on August 19.

Now HPE has confirmed that it will continue its lawsuit, with a spokesperson saying The Sunday newspaper: ‘In 2022, an English High Court judge ruled that HPE was largely successful in its civil fraud claims against Dr Lynch and Mr Hussain.

Hannah Lynch with her father Mike Lynch. Both died when his superyacht sank last month

Hewlett-Packard Enterprise has now confirmed that it will continue its lawsuit

‘A hearing on damages was held in February 2024 and the judge’s decision on the damages HPE is owed will be received in due course. It is HPE’s intention to follow the proceedings to the end.’

Just a week ago, a spokesperson for HPE was asked by the Daily Mail whether the company would rule out suing Dr Lynch’s estate for damages. However, he said: ‘We do not feel it is appropriate to comment on legal matters in these tragic circumstances.’

MailOnline has today contacted HPE to confirm its latest position on the matter.

Last week, friends of Dr Lynch, including Conservative MP Sir David Davis, called on HPE to drop the claim, with one saying it would be “a terrible disgrace” if it went ahead.

HPE won the civil lawsuit alleging that Dr. Lynch and Autonomy’s former CFO Sushovan Hussain inflated the Cambridge-based company’s revenue before the acquisition.

The US company initially sought £4bn in damages, but Judge Hildyard ruled that the figure would be ‘significantly less’. It is thought to have spent more than £50m on legal costs.

A fire brigade diving team leaves Porticello and heads to the rescue site in Sicily on August 23

The Bayesian (file photo) sank off the coast of Sicily on August 19 during severe storm conditions

At a hearing earlier this year to discuss the size of the payout, HPE said it was still seeking £3 billion. Last year it had revenues of £22 billion and profits of £1.5 billion.

The business hardware and services activities were spun off from computer and printer manufacturer HP Inc. following a split in 2015.

The judge is expected to rule on the compensation before the end of the year.

A source close to the case said: “It’s in the hands of the judge. We’re waiting for his response. No decision will be made until he makes his decision.”

According to Sir David, the Conservative grandee, the company should drop the case as the judge ruled the amount awarded to HP would be “much less than they claimed”.

“I think it would be wise for Hewlett-Packard to drop the case in their own best interests. They’re not going to make a lot of money from it, but they’re making themselves very unpopular with the general public by targeting a survivor.”

Bank manager Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy died in the superyacht disaster on August 19

Clifford Chance attorney Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo were also among the dead

The body of chef Recaldo Thomas was discovered on the day of the sinking last month

The former Cabinet minister – who supported Dr Lynch in his fight against extradition to the US – said he had lunch with the businessman only three weeks ago, after his acquittal, and that they would meet again soon.

The Bayesian disaster killed seven people. The ship’s captain, New Zealander James Cutfield, was the first crew member to be investigated for possible manslaughter and shipwreck culpability.

Tim Parker Eaton, the engineer in charge of the yacht’s engine room security, and deckhand Matthew Griffith, who was on watch on the night of the disaster, were also being investigated on Wednesday on the same possible charges.

The three crew members were among the 15 survivors of the sinking of the Bayesian, a 56-metre British-flagged luxury yacht that sank near Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea.

Investigators are investigating how a sailing ship, considered “unsinkable” by its manufacturer, Italian shipyard Perini Navi, could sink while a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed.

Prosecutors said the event was “extremely rapid” and could have been a “downburst” — a localized, strong wind that descends from a thunderstorm and quickly dissipates as it hits the ground.

All crew members, except the cook, survived the disaster. Six passengers were trapped in the yacht’s hull and died.