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Mother of ‘UFO hacker’ asks Obama to stop his extradition to America
31 Jul 2009The mother of British computer hacker Gary McKinnon today appealed to US President Barack Obama after her son lost his High Court bid to block his extradition.
Janis Sharp spoke of her son's “heartbreak” at the judges' decision and urged Mr Obama “to do the right thing”.
Mr McKinnon, 43, who suffers from Asperger's syndrome, has asked successive Home Secretaries to block his extradition.
The US authorities say Mr McKinnon carried out the “biggest military hack of all time” when he broke into 97 computers including those of the US Navy and Nasa. He has admitted breaking into the systems in 2001-2 after the 9/11 attacks but claims he was merely looking for evidence of extraterrestrial life.
Standing on the steps of the court, Ms Sharp said: “Stand by us and make this world a better place, a more compassionate place.
“Obama wouldn't have this. He doesn't want the first guy extradited for computer misuse to be a guy with Asperger's, a UFO guy. He wouldn't want this. I'm just praying, please hear us, Obama, because I know you would do the right thing. I know you would have the strength to stand up and not have this.”
Mr McKinnon's solicitor has sent a letter to Mr Obama signed by 40 MPs appealing to him to step in and end “this shameful episode”. Karen Todner described the case as “inhumane and an affront to British justice”.
Mr McKinnon's lawyers are planning an appeal to the new Supreme Court, which cannot hear his case before October. He wants the Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC to prosecute him here in Britain rather than the US.
He told BBC radio today: “There is no way I would get a jury of my peers in America. I would be tried in Virginia and a lot of people there work for defence contractors. I'm accused of damaging defence computers.”
But Lord Justice Stanley Burnton and Mr Justice Wilkie dismissed his claims saying: “Extradition is justified under Article 8 (of the European Convention on Human Rights) and is a lawful and proportionate response to his alleged offending.”
Ms Sharp said: “We are heartbroken. If the law says it's fair to destroy someone's life in this way then it is a bad law. Our hope still lies with the Government. What more evidence do Gordon Brown and Alan Johnson need to understand what extraditing Gary would do to him, let alone us?
“Gary would not survive and I would never see my son again. All to oblige the Americans? If Gary's was such a dreadful crime he should have been prosecuted and sentenced here years ago. Instead he's been left tortured by fear for seven years. Compassion can and must now prevail.”
The US government says repairing its computers cost $400,000 and that Mr McKinnon had deliberately attempted “intimidation and coercion”. His campaigners, who include Sting, Julie Christie and Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour, say he acted through naivety as a result of his Asperger's, a form of autism leading to obsessive behaviour, and should not be considered a criminal.
His QC Edward Fitzgerald said medical evidence overwhelmingly pointed towards “an acute psychotic disorder” and a real risk of suicide if extradition took place. He described Mr McKinnon as an “eccentric person who has passionate views about UFOs” and an extradition was unnecessary when he could be prosecuted here.
The two judges will hear in September an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court. If that fails Mr McKinnon's lawyers can apply directly to the newly-formed highest court.
Trudie Styler, wife of Sting and a prominent supporter, was present for the judgment and said: “My heart goes out to Gary and all those who have fought so hard. Reason and common sense dictate that his extradition would be abhorrent.
“Gary is a deeply vulnerable man, ill-equipped to cope with the trauma of extradition. I am determined to continue to press government to intervene in this blatant travesty of justice.”
Mr McKinnon's solicitor Ms Todner added: “This ruling is hugely disappointing but we shall not stop here. Alan Johnson still has the power to act and we will continue to explore every legal avenue until we achieve a just and proper result.”
Reader views (74)
McKinnon's crimes were committed sitting in a bedroom in the UK. That the servers he connected to were located in the USA is completely irelevant.
If you are using a website located in China, and post something pro democracy which breaks chinese law, are you a criminal in china, and should be extradited?
If you email your holiday snaps to a friend in Saudi Arabia, and they include a bikini picture, should you be extradited to Saudi Arabia for breaking their laws?
Of course not.
A crime is committed where you are located - and you should be prosecuted there as well.
McKinnon is a UK citizen. He committed a crime IN the UK. He should get a fair trial in a UK court, before his UK citizen peers.
- Ian Lowe, Airdrie, UK, 03/08/2009 06:18
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What a stroke of luck that it was a friendly that broke into the yanks computer.What if it had been bin larden who hacked the yanks computers.Maybe the yanks should make there toys more secure instead of wasting money prosecuting a lone individual.
- Yanks Were Lucky This Time, Australia, 03/08/2009 01:52
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Apparently,..(please don't laugh at gormless GI-Joe & Forrest Gump Generals)
LOL,..He is accused of hacking into 97 US Army, Navy, NASA and Defence Department computers concerned with national defence and security at a critical time immediately following the 9/11 attacks and leaving the military network vulnerable to intruders.
***Anyone who gets past the basic amatuer firewall & password of THE FIRST USA MILITARY computer,..has proven how amateur the USA military is (he stated many never had any passwords or security)
In fact Gary,..should be given a Government IT job securing their networks,..(or better still here working for GCHQ & Mi6)
And why hasn't the USA Army etc,..IT-website designer,/webmaster been prosecuted for negligence, and failing in his,/her duty of care ??
- A Brown, UK, 02/08/2009 22:21
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Gary will not be "alone" in America - he will still be hiding behind his mothers skirts!
- Scots Lass, Scotland, 02/08/2009 10:28
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The extradition policy should be reviewed, it cannot favour one country over another. The British poodle should become a bulldog again. Why do we always kowtow to America. Other European and Scandinavian countries are proud of their own legislative power, we certainly cannot be in this case as it is prejudiced in favour of the US.
- Sadie, London, 01/08/2009 12:28
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HE HAS ASPERGERS SYNDROME.
A very hard to understand disability that can only really be understood by those who know someone with it. My brother has it and its very hard to deal with sometimes. People just plain think he's weird.
There needs to be some sort of compassion towards this case starting with doing some real research into Aspergers.
- Jon, London, UK, 01/08/2009 10:25
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Laura, Epsom. I understand very well what this man has done.
McKinnon has a diagnosed mental health problem. He, believing he was doing so innocently, hacked into government computer systems trying to find out about flying saucers.
In so doing he exposed major security flaws in those same systems. He did not do any malicious damage, and the £700,000 quote from the US of A sounds like chicken feed compared to the charges imposed by commercial software producers for updating their products.
He has done the yanks a favour, and the shortcomings exposed by his actions have been fixed, and may have saved lives.
Offences are judged not only by their comsequences, but also by the intent that lies behind them. In this case there was no intent other than to satisfy an insatiable curiosity, yet you would be happy to see him extradited and imprisoned for decades.
Where is your sense of balance?
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 01/08/2009 04:05
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We cannot send murderers, rapists or such back to their country of origin, because it would be against their human rights, because the punishment they might face could be called cruel and immoral
But we can send an idiot to the united states to face a possible 60 years in a federal prison, Federal prisons are known to be the harshest and toughest jails in America.
Yet in this Country you could not get 60 years if you blew up a bus full of kids. This is the hypocrisy of Gordon Brown, Americas new lamppost, the man who told the world that the global meltdown was caused by America, but forgot to tell congress that when he addressed them.
- Steve M, LONDON, 01/08/2009 03:08
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Gary McKinnon's nationality or state of health (genuine or otherwise) are totally irrelevant. He admits he has broken into military computers at least 97 times, again the reason is irrelevant.
This has been made into a high profile case as a result Gary McKinnon should be dealt with with the full force of the law, UK or US, in order to give a clear message to all hackers.
- Roy, London, 01/08/2009 02:04
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Oh my, you don't trust your criminally charged son to the custody of the United States as being ruled by Obama??? The man who has been freeing 'innocents' from Gitmo Bay???
The UK has no faith I guess...
- Trunk, US, 01/08/2009 01:33
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Surely his defence should be arguing that Gary will be at risk of torture, if extradited to the USA?
- Harry H, London UK, 01/08/2009 00:35
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I like that 'if he's that good' the USA should employ him as he has shown this stupidity that you can hack in. If it is important and secret it should not be available in any way, hackers or no hackers
- Edwin, beaconsfield buckinghamshire, 31/07/2009 22:29
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Those who claim on here that the two judges have no idea about Aspergers - they will have had reports from the prosecution experts and the defence experts in front of them on the subject who have, presumably, interviewed Gary.
Even his staunchist supporters use the world 'MILD' to describe the extent of his condition....
- Scots Lass, Scotland, 31/07/2009 17:52
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Keith of Doncaster - You obviously don't understand the severity of what this man has done.
Mark of Walworth - I have not suddenly changed into a parrot -a computer error caused the sending of more than one email.
- Laura, Epsom, Surrey, 31/07/2009 17:37
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Add this blood to Gordon's list - As for our new Home Secretary, shall we say he disgusts me!
- Gordonbay, London and Cape Town, 31/07/2009 17:13
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The US should use his skills, he's obviously got the smarts. Better than letting him waste in prison, of course, he could never leave the states. I say thats better than prison.
- Joel, london, 31/07/2009 17:05
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I cannot believe some of the comments about "justice finally being done!" or" You do the crime, you do the time"! These are comments from idiots who clearly do not understand computers or Mr Mckinnons intentions!
He got past the password system because they were left on default 'Admin' settings and not changed! (Even my nephew knows to change that and he's 8yrs old!)
He did not tamper with any thing!
He mearly looked at files!
He had conversations with NASA employees on the network!
He spotted IP address' from europe and asia!(which means that other people were hacking away at the same time)
When he looked in a file with raw-(un touched - no manipulation) photographs he was spotted, and tracked down!
His only crime was to SHOW UP NASA! They cannot stop hackers from China, or North Korea so they pick on an easy target and throw the book at him!
He did not damage anything and no one was in any danger because as far as i'm aware - NASA are not the military!
Shame on the government for pandering to these facist control freaks, and double shame on all those computer illiterate morons screaming for justice! Just because you dont know how computers work you want to cruxify an aspergers sufferer because he makes you feel stupid!
I'm emigrating!
PS - IMHO Nasa is most definitely hiding something or someone!
- G Kay, Wolverhampton, 31/07/2009 16:57
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American law presumes innocence in the same way as ours does, so let's get that out of the way.
Second, in my opinion, it is wholly unacceptable to have a one-sided extradition treaty such as this, and for that reason alone, the US should be told to "bog-off".
Third, how in God's name could someone like this hack into such a major system; someone clearly fell asleep on duty! So,there is embarrassment here and a desire to maximise the punishment of someone who is, on any analysis, suffering from an illness. To me this smacks of nothing more than a bully-boy America wanting make an example out of this man, regardless of his illness.
Lastly, shouldn't the Americans be grateful that someone other than a terrorist was able to demonstrate how easy it was for him to get into their computers, so that they rectify the problems? Ishould think they would want to pat him on the back, not make his a show trial of just how great a country America can be! Special relationship? Only when it suts the Yanks. The whole thing stinks, as does this wretched Treaty.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England, 31/07/2009 16:16
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Laura, Epsom: "Although this case is not linked to terrorism it could VERY WELL HAVE BEEN."-
But it wasn't, was it? What a stupid comment.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 31/07/2009 16:12
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He should man up and serve the punishment.
I should imagine he would only get 2-3 years anyway so why all the fuss. He was happy to hack into their defence system & cause a lot of panic & damage. He knew exactly what he was doing & would have know the punishment & likely risk of being caught.
The only reason he is fighting this is because he turned down a plea bargain of a 3 year jail term as he thought he could use a medical condition to escape any punishment.
- Pj, London, England, 31/07/2009 16:10
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Are you a parrot - Laura, Epsom Surrey...do you want a perche...keep repeating your self!!!
- Mark, Walworth, 31/07/2009 16:10
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Seems convenient that he was diagnosed with Asperger's in 2008 when all other avenues had failed. He's not stupid - he knew what he was doing ws illegal. Would people still be so laid back if his incursions had opened the door to a full scale terrorist attack ? Thought not. NO sympathy at all.
- C Chapman, corridonia italy, 31/07/2009 15:58
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Jerry, from London:
Mr McKinnon has not been 'tried and found guilty without facing any legal procedings where he is unable to defend himself.' Mr. McKinnon ADMITS that he illegally hacked into these systems, so please stop trying to paint every jurist in the US as get-me-a-rope advocate of rough justice. I very much doubt the American taxpayer is eager to pay for the incarceration of a prisoner who could receive more appropriate treatment elsewhere.
- Patty Ofurniture, London, 31/07/2009 15:38
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He knew he was in a "Restricted Area".
On discovering his mistake he should've got out ... and NOT gone back in.
In the UK we have signs; MOD Property - KEEP OUT.
I don't see any difference ...
miromike
- Miromike, London England, 31/07/2009 15:31
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They want him to make a scapegoat out of him. They should be seeing what he can do for them in IT security (like they did with Frank Abagnale Jr). Some one asked me, when was the last time an American was extradited to the UK - good point, well argued.
- Richard Johnson, London, 31/07/2009 15:25
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it has made up my mind for me as to the party that gets my vote every time from now on and that is the party that puts the indigenous population of this country first,and that plainly is not the libs cons and its certainly not nutty anti British labour.
- Kev, London
You'll be disappointed to learn, once it's too late, that not even the BNP puts the true indigenous population first! But then again, you're brainwashed, so what's the point in me saying so?
PS: You're not Nick Griffin writing under a pseydonym by any chance, are you?
- Nowan King, London, 31/07/2009 15:15
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Disgraceful. The bloke is obviously suffering from Aspergers or some other illness on the Autism spectrum, so why is he being sent to the US? The States does not have a good human rights record, in fact they are a bit behind China and iran in how many people they put to death. disgusting place. Our government should be protecting it's citizens. if this man has commited a crime, he should be dealt with here as the crime was commited here. If it's right for him to be extradited to the US, why aren't we sending terrorists, criminals illegal immigrants back to their country of origin?
Don't you just detest Brown and his cronies?
- Kerry, Purley, 31/07/2009 15:04
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UK = Quick to extradite its own yet impossible to extradite foreign criminals and bogus asylum seekers. Very shameful indeed.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 31/07/2009 15:02
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"The only reason the US is pushing this is because he embarassed them"
Yep, causing big-dollar amount disruption to their systems is certainly embarrassing. It is also a criminal offence in the UK as well as in the USA - everywhere in fact. Very embarrassing, it seems - wherever it is perpetrated.
- Rogan, Irving, 31/07/2009 14:59
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I am from the US and living here. I have friends who have a daughter with Aspergers. She is bright, intelligent and knows right from wrong. The big problem with Aspergers is that they have a hard time with reading people socially. They are not stupid or mentally retarded, in fact, most are very intelligent and do know right from wrong. I have no sympathy for him. He should not escape proscicution simply because he has Aspergers. Many people who do have it have fought long and hard battles to be accepted in society as normal.
He went into several sites he knew he was not supposed to go into. Do the crime, do the time. His mother is doing what she needs to do to make her son safe but she has not admitted that he has done anything wrong.
- Cj, London, 31/07/2009 14:55
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Perhaps he could share a cell with Mr Kaczynski.
- Nelly, Way out East, 31/07/2009 14:53
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Why doesn't he hack into the court and police records and delete his name?
Job done!
- George, London, 31/07/2009 14:51
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Why is it always the case that whenever someone has been caught doing something highly illegal they suddenly fall victim to a multitude of mental illnesses,this imbecile knew exactly what he was doing,now the CIA want to delete his memory bank,just get over it,he will come to no harm,the awful consequences of his precise and deliberate hacking might have resulted in a world war or planes falling out of the sky like dead pigeons,think about that one before you defend this geek.
- Jacob, Canterbury England, 31/07/2009 14:47
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AMERICAS POODLE DOES ITS MASTERS BIDDING. WE EXTRADITE TO AMERICA,
BUT THEY DO NOT EXTRADITE TO US. OVER 100000 PEOPLE DIED IN IRAQ BECAUSE OF THIS POODLE POLICY.
LET THE MCKINNON SAGE BE THE FINAL TRIAL OF BROWN. HE COULD STEP IN AND STOP THIS EXTRADITION TOMORROW, A CHURCHILL WOULD, OR IS HE OUR MOST GUTLESS PRIME MINISTER EVER. THE CHOICE IS HIS.
TOMORROW BY ONE SIMPLE ACT BROWN COULD BE A HERO. JUST SAY SORRY SPORTS, WE WILL TRY HIM HERE, AFTER-ALL THE SO CALLED INFRINGEMENT, I HESITATE TO CALL IT A CRIME, HAPPENED HERE. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT AMERICAS SECRET SERVICES KNOW MOST OF OUR SECRETS.
SO WHATS IT TO BE GORDON, HERO OR POODLE. COME TO THAT CAMERON, GOT AN OPINION ?
- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 31/07/2009 14:39
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I can't quite understand how exactly Mr McKinnon is a hacker, the definition of which is:
Unauthorized attempts to bypass the security mechanisms of an information system or network
He accessed American Military servers by using the default passwords that the manufacturer supplied them with. You know, the one that you are told to change on first use? The one that any IT person worth his salt would change? The one that if you were working for a private company you'd be hung drawn and quartered if you didn't change. So, at no point did he bypass their systems, he simply walked through the front door due to non-existent security, the only reason he was caught was because he had the decency to tell them that they really ought to sort their security out. Apparently, the servers logs were riddled with thousands of others doing the same thing but because they didn't leave their details (in hindsight very sensibly so), they all walked away scot free.
- Bob, Cheam, 31/07/2009 14:34
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This man knew exactly what he was doing! Why are some people on this comments page trying excuse him because he has Aspergers? They should get real and think about the severity of what he has done. Although this case is not linked to terrorism it could VERY WELL HAVE BEEN.
- Laura, Epsom Surrey, 31/07/2009 14:25
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McKinnon's extradition is nothing short of a national disgrace, especially given that there are no reciprocal arrangements for extradition from the USA.
As big a disgrace are those spineless NuLiebour MPs, who promised to support McKinnon and then reneged on that promise in the face of bullying from NuLiebour whips.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 31/07/2009 14:23
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This man knew exactly what he was doing! Why are some people on this comments page trying excuse him because he has Aspergers? They should get real and think about the severity of what he has done. Although this case is not linked to terrorism it could VERY WELL HAVE BEEN.
- Laura, Epsom Surrey, 31/07/2009 14:22
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This man knew exactly what he was doing! Why are some people on this comments page trying excuse him because he has Aspergers? They should get real and think about the severity of what he has done. Although this case is not linked to terrorism it could VERY WELL HAVE BEEN.
- Laura, Epsom Surrey, 31/07/2009 14:22
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Regardless of whether Gary should be extradited or not, the treaty is one sided.
Hence if an American citizen committed the same crime in reverse he could not be extradited here, even if the British Govt begged Obama with all their heart, soul and might.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 31/07/2009 14:04
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I think they are trying to cause a smokescreen to distract people from talking about the fact a guy working alone could hack their systems. Just think what a team of terrorists with financial backing could or may have already done.
- Serox, London, 31/07/2009 14:01
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Something which has not really been discussed is the methods HOW he hacked into the US databases.
I appreciate that most people aren't overly technology minded, or even interested, but it is something which has been discussed at length in the computer press.
Gary McKinnon is NOT a mastermind hacker - and is not even close.
He found some basic hacking programs from web forums and used them to break through what were essentially open doors in the US security systems.
He had very limited knowledge, and I think the real reason the US wish to extradite him is not because he did any damage, (the amounts claimed are hotly contested by PC specialists) but simply because he embarrassed them by doing it so easily.
The only reason they caught him is because he used his own email address to sign up for accounts! I think these are clearly the actions of an Asperger's sufferer more than a genius master criminal.
Anyway, our 'extradition treaty' with the US means that they can haul British citizens off to the US, yet they refuse to send theirs to us.
For that reason alone I don't think he should be extradited.
- John, London, 31/07/2009 14:00
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It's such a shame that the whole case has got to this. Ok, so Mr McKinnon managed to hack into the US Military network. However, I would be more concerned with the fact that he was actually able to do it in the first place. What about the systems administrators responsible for ensuring that the systems are properly protected? Someone obviously wasn't doing their job very well. Mr McKinnon has obviously exposed a flaw in their network security and had this been carried out by a terrorist organisation the repercussions could be far worse. Mr McKinnon should be punished, as what he has done is in effect breaking and entering within the digital world, however, if he was clever enough to hack the US Military Network, then I would be asking myself whether I should have him working for them exposing the the flaws in their systems that may be a bigger threat in the future. I'm also disappointed in the courts allowing this extradition to go ahead, he should have been tried here and allowed to serve any sentence imposed here.
- Alan, East London, 31/07/2009 13:50
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You do crime... you'll pay with time ...
I do agree with some of the other comments here though in that there are bigger 'threats' resident here, which the government hasn't made an active effort to eradicate/deport/extradite...
- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK, 31/07/2009 13:32
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This man has only one option left, that is to go on the run.
- Melony, Leeds uk, 31/07/2009 13:15
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If he is that good, maybe the USA should be employing him.
- Shallotman, Basildon, 31/07/2009 13:08
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It seems we in the UK are happy to harbour dangerous terrorists rather than extradite them back to their own countries, thereby putting our own freedoms and rights at risk.
And one of the risks is now self evident...break a US law and our govt will throw you to these lions.
Be a terrorist and put the UK population at risk support violence against us and this govt will give you a house and money to live on so you can make yourself at home.
No sense at all this bloke should be tried here, if at all.
- Rikrok, London uk, 31/07/2009 13:07
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If he was bright enough to be a hacker, he is bright enough to think of a plausible medical condition. I find it hard to believe there are so many people sympathetic to this guy. He fully deserves whatever is coming his way.
- Jim, Stowmarket Suffolk, 31/07/2009 12:58
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It strikes me that if you are a white British citizen the British government will have no problems sending you to a foreign country to face so called justice,but if you are a real threat to this country as in the case of Abu Hamza and the rest, who were not born here and entered this country illegally, the Government will offer you all the legal protection it can possible muster, and the European court of human rights will conspire with them to keep you in this country.I have totally lost my respect for the British government and Establishment,they have made it plain beyond a shadow of doubt that they are the enemy of the indigenous peoples of this country.this case has highlighted that fact if nothing else,and it has made up my mind for me as to the party that gets my vote every time from now on and that is the party that puts the indigenous population of this country first,and that plainly is not the libs cons and its certainly not nutty anti British labour.
- Kev, London, 31/07/2009 12:58
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He done the crime so he should do the time!
- Mc, London, 31/07/2009 12:47
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Obviously the judge does not know anything about aspergers syndrome or autism for that matter or he would know that he is not fully in control of his actions. I had hoped that my country of birth would remain far away from the North American vindictiveness but obviously this is not the case. I hope someone sees sense and stops this traversty from happening.
- Chris Darling, Hubbards, Nova Scotia, Canada, 31/07/2009 12:36
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This is all very scary. British citizens can be hauled before American courts but Americans cannot be hauled before English ones. British citizens should not be subject to American extradition. This one-sided law (there is not American reciprocity) was brought in by Tony Blair to pleased his buddy, George Bush Jr and the rest of the lilly livered Labour ministers refuse to repeal this hideous law. British citizens should be protected to the British government and be brought to justice in English courts. They should not be subject to the imperial reach of American courts.
- Anthony, London, 31/07/2009 12:35
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Gary McKinnon made a big mistake in not stating he was an AQ terrorist.
In that case, not only would he have enjoyed the full protection of the law, but he would have been given substantial financial benefits.
What's next? Full extradition to the US for dropping a sweet wrapper in Disneyland?
- John Smith, Londonistan, EUSSR, 31/07/2009 12:33
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Yet another example of how Labour introduced draconian laws claiming that they were needed to, "fight terrorism," only for them to be used against ordinary people. The Americans should be worried about Chinese and Russian military hackers not some English kid working in his bedroom. Where is the justice in Gordon Brown's Britain?
- Ian, London, 31/07/2009 12:22
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The Law involved here was created by Gordon Brown’s government. It allows for the USA to grab any UK citizen whenever they wish, yet reinforces that situation that the UK does not similar rights over citizens of the USA.
The NatWest 3 potentially broke laws only in the UK, but had to be subjected to the laws and the punishment in the USA.
- Ian, Reading, England, 31/07/2009 12:22
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All hackers should be punished severly. They cost billions a year, disrupt everyone's lives and are a menace to society.
He must have realised hacking into the pentagon was wrong/stupid'dangerous and just suppose he found some information/data 'by accident' he could sell to a potential enemy. He is not an innocent.'Looking for Martians'? - please! What other systems has he damaged? What other mayhem has he caused?
He will not go to jail for 70 years but he should be punished as a warning to others. Hacking is dangerous to society - damaged systems could destroy companies, national defence and lives. Let due process take its course.
- Gray, London, 31/07/2009 12:19
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Nobody likes hackers and neither do I - if caught they should face consequences.
But that shouldn't mean we continue to support the grossly unequal extradition treaty that this bunch of Labour wets agreed to as part of our 'special relationship'. The UK under Bliar and Brownnose has simply prostrated itself before the US and demonstrated through war and debasement its total betrayal of the British population in the interests of being #1 gimp to America.
- David, London, 31/07/2009 12:14
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My nephew id severely autistic but computer and games obsessed. I'm now frightened that one day he may fall foul of lickspittle Johnson's cowardice and spineless nu-labour judges. When compassion and common sense are thrown out of the window we know we are in the next stage of Brown's neo-fascist government.
- Richard Meredith, huntingdon, 31/07/2009 12:09
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I am sure Mr McKinnon will be properly legally represented in the US courts and justice will be done. I am equally sure that Mr McKinnon´s medical condition will be taken fully into account. Let´s wait and see what happens, shall we, instead of getting all steamed up over his obvious indiscretions. After all, Mr McKinnon is not being put on trial by the Taliban.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 31/07/2009 12:02
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Why isn't GCHQ or MI5 employing this person instead of our giving a valuable potential counter-terrorist officer to the USA?
Why is there such a one way traffic of good stuff leaving the UK, which started with our giving the Americans the jet engine in the 1940s, ound our getting absolutly nothing that is also benificial to the Americans in return? The word 'altruism' is NOT in the American vocabuary.
- Jacqui, London, 31/07/2009 11:47
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Every time a British person commits a crime offshore (as this hacker did), they come running to try and stay in the U.K. or get returned to it (example: the lady caught with drugs in Thailand who got herself pregnant). Why? Because they know that British justice is the softest in the world -- a slap on the wrist compared to other jurisdictions. They want British justice because they know they won't have to pay for their crimes. I'm very pleased with today's result.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 31/07/2009 11:44
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I have been scammed a number of times by email and by ebay auction sites. I want to start extradition proceedings to bring these people to a small claims court in the UK, how do I start proceedings ?
- Jack, London, 31/07/2009 11:40
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The problem here is that he is being forcably moved from a juresdiction where he is presumed innocent untill proven guilty to one that presumes guilt untill his innocence is proved.
As such he is tecnically already tried and found guilty without facing any legal proceedings where he is able to defend himself and for once this is a good case to use human rights laws for UK citizens. Lets see how this is played out, if at all !
- Jerry, London, 31/07/2009 11:35
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One less idiot to hack into my computer,sounds good to me.
- Dave, london, 31/07/2009 11:35
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Excellent news for those who've suffered from geeks and virus planters over the years via the wallet for protection fees. But bad news, no doubt, for the bleeding hearts who think that these pests can do what the hell they like and get away with it. And, what the hell has the Government got to do with it?
Everything has a price - I hope he gets twenty years inside as an example to the other creeps.
- Ted, London, 31/07/2009 11:21
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Justice won't be done. The only reason the US is pushing this is because he embarassed them. Don't think this man is some sort of criminal mastermind with amazing computer skills, he just accessed publicly accessible computers where passwords, etc were left unset or with some default setting.
- Ian, london, 31/07/2009 11:13
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So the cowards who run this country continue to show their yellow-bellied colours; cow-towing to the Americans like we are the 51st state. Sucking up to American world domination and selling our own people down the river and sending them to their deaths in bloody conflict.
No-one is safe in their own country anymore. Least of all those whose actions are afected by some medical condition; they who need the protection of their own nation; their own country.
More blood on Blair and Brown's hands. Shame on them all!
How do the establishment sleep at night after cowardice like this decision?
- Tango Mike, Kensington, London, 31/07/2009 11:11
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The guy is a willful vandal, why should he not be held accountable?
- Richard Devitt, fulham, london, 31/07/2009 11:07
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I would ask Lord Justice Stanley Burnton and Mr Justice Wilkie,the following question.......when did the UK Government successfully extradite a US citizen to the UK, using the same extradition law. Did the pilots responsible for friendly fire deaths, plus a lot of other cases,come to the UK to stand trial or even give evidence.
The answer your Lordships is no, and the British People are rightly angered at this biased decision
- Lloyd, Glan Conwy, 31/07/2009 11:01
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It seems that hacking an unsecure computer is a greater crime than murdering a million-and-a-half civilians which is what T. Blair of Downing Street managed to do. Our "justice" system is absolutely busted and broken. Let's just get rid of the whole state and take back our freedom.
- Neil, London, London UK, 31/07/2009 10:59
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Hacking must be legal in the UK then!
- Gary, Brentwood, 31/07/2009 10:55
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So this NuLiebor establishment of judges, left wing pressure groups and the european court of human rights allow and support convicted and suspected terrorists to remain in this country as we, and I quote, 'Will not send individuals to countries that condone or practice torture'
Where's the 'establishment' now, with its high moral stance? Obviously, foreign nationals come first and disabled Brits can go to hell. This country is in tatters.
- Ged, Blackheath, London, 31/07/2009 10:51
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Spineless British Government
- St, London, 31/07/2009 10:37
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At last, justice is about to finally be done!
- Nowan King, London, 31/07/2009 10:34
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