McKinnon Should Be Tried Here

12.00.00pm GMT Fri 14th Nov 2008

The Liberal Democrats have today written to Jacqui Smith urging her to reconsider the case of computer hacker Gary McKinnon, who has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and who is alleged to have broken through Pentagon security from his north London home.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne and Mr. McKinnon's constituency MEP, Sarah Ludford, have urged the Home Secretary to refuse his extradition to the United States and instead to allow any prosecution to take place in this country.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"Our special relationship with the United States must not supersede the best interests of justice.

"The news that Gary McKinnon suffers from Asperger Syndrome should surely justify a more humanitarian approach.

"However, Mr McKinnon has also fallen foul of the Government's refusal to activate provisions from the 2006 Police and Justice Act which would allow him to be tried here.

"The Home Secretary should have more confidence in British justice."

Commenting further, Sarah Ludford MEP added:

"The US authorities have effectively blackmailed Mr McKinnon.

"As a result of exercising his legal right to refuse a plea bargain, he risks being indicted for terrorism, refused bail, incarcerated decades in a 'Supermax' prison and denied repatriation.

"The Home Secretary should not allow this outrageous abuse of British legal procedure and hard-won safeguards to succeed."