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| MPs want hacker transfer halted | MPs want hacker transfer halted |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The extradition to the US of computer hacker Gary McKinnon should be halted owing to his "precarious state of mental health", MPs say. | The extradition to the US of computer hacker Gary McKinnon should be halted owing to his "precarious state of mental health", MPs say. |
| The Home Affairs Committee has urged Home Secretary Alan Johnson to exercise his "discretion" in the case of Mr McKinnon, who has Asperger's syndrome. | The Home Affairs Committee has urged Home Secretary Alan Johnson to exercise his "discretion" in the case of Mr McKinnon, who has Asperger's syndrome. |
| Mr Johnson is studying medical evidence before deciding on the extradition. | Mr Johnson is studying medical evidence before deciding on the extradition. |
| Mr McKinnon is accused of breaking into the US military computer system but says he was just seeking UFO evidence. | Mr McKinnon is accused of breaking into the US military computer system but says he was just seeking UFO evidence. |
| The 43-year-old, of Wood Green, north London, faces 60 years in prison if convicted in the US. | The 43-year-old, of Wood Green, north London, faces 60 years in prison if convicted in the US. |
| 'Lack of equality' | |
| The Commons committee is conducting an inquiry into the US-UK extradition treaty, which critics say does not treat American and British citizens equally. | |
| The letter, from committee chairman Keith Vaz, says it has received "clear, legal opinion" from two lawyers that the home secretary has greater scope to exercise his discretion in the case than Mr Johnson believes. | The letter, from committee chairman Keith Vaz, says it has received "clear, legal opinion" from two lawyers that the home secretary has greater scope to exercise his discretion in the case than Mr Johnson believes. |
| Earlier this week, Mr Johnson told the committee that it would not be "proper" for the government to petition the US on Gary McKinnon's behalf. | Earlier this week, Mr Johnson told the committee that it would not be "proper" for the government to petition the US on Gary McKinnon's behalf. |
| But the letter urges Mr Johnson to "comprehensively review" the operation of US-UK extraditions and "exercise your discretion in this case". | But the letter urges Mr Johnson to "comprehensively review" the operation of US-UK extraditions and "exercise your discretion in this case". |
| There is a "serious lack of equality" in the way the extradition treaty deals with UK citizens compared with US citizens, the letter argues. | |
| Extradition is not a statement of guilt or innocence Home Secretary Alan Johnson | |
| Mr McKinnon's mother, Janis Sharp, has said her son "would rather be dead than extradited". | |
| Appearing before the committee earlier in the week, she said: "We were told this treaty was to be used mainly for terrorists. | |
| "People like Gary are not terrorists. We should stand up to America and say, 'This is wrong.' | |
| "This has ruined Gary's life. It's ruined our lives," she said. | |
| But Mr Johnson responded by insisting that the US had a "proper, mature legal system". | |
| "It's almost as if you are talking about an enemy state," he said. | |
| "In a world of international crime where criminals cross borders much more frequently, then you need to have proper arrangements in place. | |
| "Extradition is not a statement of guilt or innocence. It's quite proper for the US to ask to bring over people who have committed crimes against their country." | |
| The home secretary has said he will consider new medical evidence "very carefully" before approving extradition. | |
| He also said he wanted to give Mr McKinnon's lawyers time to examine medical reports and make legal representations to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. |