Diana judge to probe law that may hand Gary McKinnon to U.S.
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 7:27 PM on 14th October 2010Sir Scott Baker, the judge who presided over the Princess Diana inquest, was today put in charge of a review into the UK’s ‘lopsided’ extradition treaty with the U.S..
Sir Scott, a Lord Justice of Appeal, will examine whether new safeguards are needed to prevent a repeat of the case of Asperger’s patient Gary McKinnon.
The judge will head a three-man team considering whether the Home Secretary needs extra powers to halt an individual’s removal to America.
Sir Scott Baker, who presided over the Princess Diana inquest, has been put in charge of a review into the UK's extradition treaty with the U.S.
Crucially, he will also judge whether the Extradition Act 2003 is ‘unbalanced’, and whether America should have to present ‘prima facie’ evidence before a suspect can be bundled on to a plane.
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Sir Scott is considered a safe pair of hands who can stand up to intense scrutiny and pressure.
Campaigners welcomed the news, but criticised the fact the review is not due to be completed until late summer next year.
Sir Scott (left) will examine whether new safeguards are needed to prevent a repeat of the case of Gary McKinnon (pictured right, with mother Janis Sharp)
Mr McKinnon, 44, faces years in a U.S. jail after he hacked into U.S. defence computers. His family say the trauma of extradition could lead to him killing himself.
His mother Janis says that one of the changes being looked at by the review – whether sentences should be served in the country where the suspect is alleged to have carried out his crimes – could be implemented immediately, possibly preventing her son’s extradition.
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Stop his extradition he is clearly not the full shilling,or are we ruled by the u s a as well as europe
- Oddy, Bham, 14/10/2010 21:32
About time as well, too many British people are handed over to other countries without even asking to see evidence that a crime has been committed. The European warrant wants looking at as well. As things stand any EU country can apply for a warrant and off you go on the flimsiest of demands.
Before any warrant is issued there should be checks of the evidence made, if it stands up as evidence for our courts then fine, if not they should refuse to send them abroad.
Anyone we want extradited here and we have jump through hoops to ensure they are brought before our courts. Our citizens deserve the samewhen the reverse happens.- Angela, England, 14/10/2010 20:57
Blunkett was Home Secretary at the time this law was passed. Even he now says it should not have been done.
I do not know whether McKinnon is guilty or not but he should be tried in Uk.- b jones, brynbuga, 14/10/2010 20:44
Gary McKinnon, If you can't do the time you shouldn't have done the crime!
- Joseph Nagle, Essex Maryland USA, 14/10/2010 20:43
This case makes me sick. Leave Gary McKinnon alone now. This has gone on long enough.
He has made the USA look stupid. Despite the fact they normally do it all by themselves. This extradition is nothing more than spite.
He hacked them and showed up their security systems. They should be big enough to learn from it. And grateful it wasn't a real enemy.
And he did it from the UK. The Americans should whinge to the UK authorities and have charges bought by the CPS if there is a case to answer.
This is a British citizen based in Britain.
About time Cameron manned up and tell them we will deal with it.
- Callan, London, 14/10/2010 20:04
We should thank tone B Liar for that one sided legislation.
- Magnus, Stornoway, 14/10/2010 19:53
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Thursday, 14 October 2010
#FreeGary - Diana judge Sir Scott Baker to probe law that may hand Gary McKinnon to U.S. | Mail Online
via dailymail.co.uk
