Extraditing autistic Scots hacker 'would be a disgrace'

Published on Thursday 9 July 2009 14:37

THE extradition of an autistic Briton accused of hacking into US military networks is a "disgrace", MPs heard today.

David Heath, for the Liberal Democrats, said Gary McKinnon was "being cynically handed over" to the US authorities as part of a "one-sided" extradition treaty between the UK and America.

He called on Home Secretary Alan Johnson to block the extradition of Glasgow-born Mr McKinnon, 43, from Wood Green, north London, to allow him to be tried in Britain.

Former Labour minister Tom Watson (West Bromwich E) also weighed in, demanding Mr McKinnon should be tried in the UK as removing him would be a "brutal act".

But Commons leader Harriet Harman said it was not a matter for Mr Johnson and the case had been decided by the courts.

Mr McKinnon, a computer expert, is seeking judicial review of the then Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's decision last October to order extradition after previous legal challenges failed.

The US government said he was responsible for the "biggest military hack of all time", involving 97 government computers belonging to organisations including the US Navy and Nasa.

But his supporters say he acted through "naivety" as a result of having Asperger's – a form of autism which leads to obsessive behaviour – and should not be considered a criminal.

During questions on future parliamentary business, Mr Heath said: "The Home Secretary, I thought somewhat disingenuously, says he cannot instruct prosecution – that is absolutely right.

"But what he can do is to stop the extradition and allow the circumstances in which this unfortunate gentleman can be tried in this country.

"Many of us feel that this one-sided extradition treaty is a disgrace to Britain. This use of that disgraceful treaty is a further disgrace and a shame."

Ms Harman told him: "This is a matter not for the Home Secretary's decision, it is a matter that has been for decision by the courts and they have decided this man should be extradited. It is not for the discretion of the Home Secretary, it is a decision by the courts."