Jacqui Smith ‘flawed decision’ in McKinnon case
p2pnet news view Freedom | P2P:- Embattled and disgraced ex-UK home secretary Jacqui ‘Big Sister’ Smith, made a “flawed decision” when she, “disregarded powerful medical evidence in the case of computer hacker Gary McKinnon, who is facing extradition to the US,” says The Guardian.
George W. Bush wanted him, and now Barack Obama wants him,” said p2pnet.
He became Britain’s most famous hacker when he penetrated US military systems looking for hidden data on unidentified flying objects.
McKinnon suffers from Asperger’s syndrome and, “could easily be tried in this country, the court heard, thus avoiding the risk that he might commit suicide if jailed in the US,” says The Guardian, adding »»»
Edward Fitzgerald QC, for McKinnon, told Lord Justice Stanley Burnton and Mr Justice Wilkie that evidence of McKinnon’s medical condition had been given to Smith to demonstrate that extraditing him could lead to serious psychological problems.
” She [Smith] erred in law and reached a flawed decision in response to the medical evidence,” he said. “She underestimated and misrepresented the gravity of the situation without obtaining evidence of her own, made no inquiries and sought no assurance as to the grant of bail before, and repatriation after, trial in the US.”
Fitzgerald also told the court that the home secretary had failed to take account of “the reasonable alternative” of prosecution in this country, where McKinnon could face up to five years’ imprisonment for offences under the computer misuse act.
McKinnon, “had already agreed to plead guilty to such offences, an option which the director of public prosecutions had turned down – a decision which was now itself a subject of judicial review,” the story says.
“The hearing is due to be concluded tomorrow and judgment is likely to be reserved.”
Jacqui ‘Big Sister’ Smith – UK’s Jacqui Smith as Big Sister, January 18, 2009
The Guardian – Jacqui Smith made ‘flawed decision’ on hacker’s US extradition, June 9, 2009
p2pnet – New Gary McKinnon petition online, May 17, 2009
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June 10th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
What a surprise. It’s almost as if the information was completely disregarded because the UK government was too busy bending over backwards to placate an embarrassed US administration for having such pathetic security.
Almost. :/
June 11th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Consider what happened to DrinkOrDie’s Griffiths, an Australia citizen who had never entered the USA. Spent 3 years in Australia prisons while fighting extradition to US. Then after serving his US sentence and being released from US prison, he was transfered to a prison for illegal immigrants – and would have likely remained imprisoned for life if he did not sign all the documents the US government demanded he sign.