MPs to urge Johnson to block Gary McKinnon extradition

Home Secretary Alan Johnson will today face calls from three senior MPs not to extradite computer hacker Gary McKinnon.

Former Labour minister Michael Meacher, ex-shadow home secretary David Davis and Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne will meet Mr Johnson at the Home Office.

Mr McKinnon, aged 43 from north London, suffers from Asperger's Syndrome and is wanted for trial in the US on charges of hacking into the country's military networks.

But campaigners believe his only crime is being a "UFO eccentric" who searched for evidence of extra-terrestrials.

In July, Mr McKinnon failed in his High Court bid to avoid extradition.

Mr Meacher, who sought the meeting, said: "Not only has the Home Secretary got the power but he has the duty to intervene in an extradition case, even after the court process has ended, if there is a real risk of a human rights breach should extradition proceed.

"Gary's medical condition is such that medical experts have concluded there is a grave risk to Mr McKinnon's health if he is extradited to the US.

"There is no reason why he cannot face charges in the UK for an act which took place in the UK."
Human rights campaign group Liberty said they hoped the MPs would bring about a "change of heart" from Mr Johnson.

Liberty spokeswoman Sabina Frediani said: "The British public are behind the idea that extradition arrangements must incorporate basic safeguards before someone is shipped off across the world, away from friends, family and supporters."