The Gary McKinnon Case under the Extradition Treaty.

Before the Parliamentary recess started there was another debate on the implications of the Extradition Treaty with the United States that the Government introduced last year. I voted against the treaty because I was concerned that it would not afford British citizens the same protection against extradition that it would provide to US citizens facing extradition to Britain. In fact it meant that it would be easier to extradite British people to the US than US citizens to Britain. I felt that this was unfair and could result in miscarriages of justice. The Gary McKinnon case has confirmed my fears. Gary Mckinnon is a young man suffering from Aspergers Syndrome, who tapped into a number of US state computers because he has a bit of an obsession with UFOs. For this reason the US government is seeking his extradition under the new treaty. The treaty means that the US government only has to demonstrate reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed rather than present clear evidence of a crime. Gary could be tried in a British court but the Home secretary has agreed to is extradition to the US. I voted to refuse to extradite Gary.

His mother wrote to me the following:

“Thank you re-your vote on reviewing the Extradition Treaty & my son Gary McKinnon. I want to thank you for supporting my son Gary McKinnon. I have great respect for you as you represent all that I believed Labour stood for. I am so extremely proud of you for having the courage of your convictions. I just want to thank you from the very core of my heart.” Janis Sharp (Gary’s Mum).

submitted by John on 23 Jul 2009 at 15:27