May clear-headed

At last, some semblance of common sense has been brought to the drawn-out, sorry farrago of events that led up to repeated demands by the United States for the extradition of Gary McKinnon to face allegations of computer hacking.

For once Home Secretary Theresa May has shown a clear head in a move that will surely reflect well on both her and the coalition government for displaying entirely justified compassion.

It might even help change the serious imbalance in the terms of the current extradition treaty between the UK and the US, drawn up by the last Labour government.

This shows as nothing else will that the US judicial system is based on revenge at all costs, even when those accused may be incapable of fully understanding the charges against them.

In this case, unlike the public cash wasted during the unnecessarily protracted and unpopular case of Abu Hamza, the money it has cost the taxpayer in legal fees might even be justified.

Brian Allan

Keith Street

Kincardine-on-Forth