Majorca stand off in the chase for Skase

Facing expulsion from Majorca and Spain, the Andratx-based former Australian tycoon Christopher Skase, has spent the past three days in and out of a Palma clinic and on Sunday received a house call from a doctor, who would only confirm that he was not a “government doctor.” Skase's critical health condition is now dominating the agenda in Australia with reports yesterday that Justice Minister Vanstone is starting to “back pedal” because of the severity of Skase's health. It appears that if and when Skase is expelled from Spain, the Australians will not exert direct pressure on the Commonwealth of Dominica passport holder to return to Australia. But Vanstone yesterday invited Skase to return to Australia for medical treatment. The Senator repeated her offer to provide the same medical team which treated Formula One driver Mika Hakkinnen after his near fatal crash at the 1995 Australian Grand Prix. Vanstone said the very best medical facilities will be made available “so we can get him back and get him back in as good a condition as he is now.”