Gary McKinnon wins reprieve from new government
The new coalition government seems to be good news for the admitted hacker.


The final court case to extradite Gary McKinnon the US to face hacking charges has been called off, as the new government appears set to live up to promises to keep the Apsergers Syndrome sufferer in the country.
The Home Office has confirmed it has asked the court to hold off a looming judicial review, after an appeal from McKinnon's lawyers.
New Home Secretary Theresa May apparently would like to look into the medical argument behind the latest appeal, which argues McKinnon would be at risk of suicide if sent to stand trial in the US and should instead be tried here.
McKinnon's lawyer Karen Todner said May is looking for more time to examine the case, which has now been before six Home Secretaries. "The secretary of state, having recently taken office and having received further representations from the claimant's representatives, wishes to have appropriate time fully to consider the issues in the case," Todner said in a statement.
"I hope this may be a signal of a more compassionate and caring Home Secretary and one that is willing to defend the rights of our citizens," she added.
McKinnon's mother is optimistic about the news.
"Last year Cameron said he could see no compassion in sending Gary away to the other side of the world when he could be tried here in the UK and Clegg said extraditing Gary would be a'"travesty of justice,' she said in a statement.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
"I am therefore confident that the new Government will do the right thing and halt Gary's extradition so that he may face trial in the UK, without the further unnecessary risks to his mental health that extradition would bring."
She added: "Gary is still terrified and undergoing a state of ongoing heightened stress but today's news gives us hope, at last, that his ordeal may soon be over. We need it to be over and totally believe that the new coalition will keep their promises and allow Gary to be tried in his own country."
Freelance journalist Nicole Kobie first started writing for ITPro in 2007, with bylines in New Scientist, Wired, PC Pro and many more.
Nicole the author of a book about the history of technology, The Long History of the Future.
-
The IT industry’s shift to circular, low-carbon solutions
Maximize your hardware investment and reach your sustainability goals with HP’s Renew Solutions
-
Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition review
Reviews This thin and light ultraportable will draw you in with its vibrant screen – but it isn't as powerful as some of its competitors
-
CPS confirms Gary McKinnon will not face charges in the UK
News Ruling brings hacker's decade-long legal ordeal to an end.
-
Week in Review: The week of the Wikileaks
News This week, tech news was dominated by the story of Wikileaks and the consequences of the cables...
-
Wikileaks: Brown requested UK sentence for McKinnon
News Gordon Brown made a personal plea for the hacker to serve his sentence on UK shores, claims latest Wikileaks cable.
-
Obama and Cameron discuss McKinnon
News Barack Obama and David Cameron have met in Washington to discuss - amongst other things - a solution to the Gary McKinnon extradition.
-
Q&A: Janis Sharp speaks out about her son Gary McKinnon
News In an exclusive interview, the mother of hacker Gary McKinnon explains why she hopes the new coalition Government will save her son from extradition to the US.
-
Nick Clegg backtracks over McKinnon extradition
News The Deputy Prime Minister has said the Government might not be able to prevent Gary McKinnon's extradition to the US, despite campaigning with the hacker last year.
-
McKinnon must 'face the music', says Home Secretary
News Home Secretary says admitted hacker Gary McKinnon should be tried in the US.
-
Gary McKinnon wins another reprieve with judicial review
News NASA Hacker Gary McKinnon has won another reprieve in his battle to avoid extradition to the US to face hacking charges.