Home Secretary puts extradition of Scots computer hacker on hold

A COMPUTER hacker who has battled for five years against being extradited to the United States received a double boost yesterday from the new government.

Home Secretary Theresa May has decided to halt the legal process so she can re-examine the impact of extradition on Gary McKinnon's health.

The coalition government also confirmed it is to conduct a comprehensive review of the extradition treaty under which the Scot was set to be extradited.

McKinnon's lawyers have fought a long-running series of court battles.

He had been due before the High Court in London next Tuesday for a judicial review. The expected last-ditch bid to avoid extradition, however, has now been adjourned.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The Home Secretary considered the proposal from Gary McKinnon's legal team and agreed an adjournment should be sought. An application was sent to the court today. The High Court has confirmed it has granted an adjournment."

McKinnon's lawyer, Karen Todner, earlier said the minister was examining medical evidence supporting their case against extradition.

The lawyer argued that there was evidence showing McKinnon was suicidal and could not survive the American prison system. She added that Ms May wanted to have "appropriate time" to consider the issues.

The legal challenge was against the decision of then home secretary, Alan Johnson, in December not to block the extradition on medical grounds.

Mr Johnson refused to halt McKinnon's removal, saying he was "of the firm view" that extradition would not be incompatible with his human rights, and "extradition to the United States must proceed forthwith".

The UK has received a guarantee from the US government that the computer hacker would receive "appropriate medical care and treatment", including counselling and medication.

Isabella Sankey, a spokesman from campaign group Liberty, which has been campaigning for McKinnon, said she welcomed the decision for a "pause for thought" in the extradition battle.

She said: "We hope this might lead to a new approach to extradition that combines international co-operation with justice and compassion.

"This is yet another early test for the coalition parties to honour in government what they promised in opposition."

In the general election, McKinnon's mother, Janis Sharp, ran against Jack Straw, who was foreign secretary when the extradition treaty was agreed with the US. She received 173 votes.

Her son was accused in 2002 of using his home computer to hack into 97 American military and Nasa computers, causing damage that the US government claims will cost more than $700,000 (425,000) to repair.

It has been described as the biggest military computer hack of all time.