Hacker McKinnon is ‘no longer a suicide risk if sent to the US’

SCOTS computer hacker Gary McKinnon is facing a new threat of extradition to the United States after Home Office-commissioned research said he was mentally strong enough.

McKinnon, a computer analyst who has Asperger’s syndrome, is said to be a low suicide risk, according to a psychiatrist, who had previously been hired by his family to assess him.

Professor Declan Murphy, whose report was leaked to Channel 4 News, is reported to say of Mr McKinnon: “He did not express significant hopelessness or helplessness”.

He added his “suicide plans are not well formulated”.

McKinnon, who was born in Glasgow, has previously admitted hacking into US military computer systems, but claims he was merely seeking evidence of UFOs. The US authorities insist McKinnon, who was originally arrested ten years ago, caused £436,000 worth of damage to their computer systems.

McKinnon, from north London, faces up to 60 years in jail if convicted of hacking charges. His family and lawyers argue that extradition could trigger psychosis and even suicide because of his mental state.

Earlier this month it emerged that a review of extradition arrangements between the UK and US was to be carried out, after concerns had been raised about cases like McKinnon’s.

A High Court hearing into the 45-year-old’s case is due to be heard in July. His family has commissioned three independent experts who will be submitting their own evidence on McKinnon’s medical condition and potential risk of suicide.

McKinnon’s mother, Janis Sharp, said: “This psychiatrist who has produced the new report for the Home Office is the same one who provided completely different evidence about Gary three years ago and he has not seen him since then.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “After consulting the chief medical officer, the Home Secretary instructed two independent experts to review the case and their report was sent to McKinnon’s representatives on 24 February in line with the directions of the court.

“Mr McKinnon and his legal team have until 6 April to respond and make any further representations.

“The Home Secretary will consider the report alongside all other relevant material and aims to reach a decision as soon as is consistent with dealing fairly and properly with this case.”

Shami Chakrabarti, director of the human rights group Liberty, said: “If all the Home Office has got to say that Gary McKinnon is fit for extradition is the evidence of an expert who contradicts his earlier evidence on [his] vulnerability, I think it’s impossible for the Home Office to extradite this man.”

In a statement, Prof Murphy said it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment while the case was still being considered by the Home Secretary.

Arrested in 2002, and then again in 2005, an order for his extradition was made in July 2006 under the controversial 2003 Extradition Act between the UK and the US. Critics claim it is one-sided and favours the US, but an independent review by former Court of Appeal judge Sir Scott Baker last year found it was both balanced and fair.