By Tristan Kirk »
MORE than 30 MPs and peers have signed a Christmas card supporting the plight of Enfield hacker Gary McKinnon.
The effort was made on the day Home Secretary Theresa May gave evidence to the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee which is looking into UK extradition laws, and has focused on Mr McKinnon's case.
His mother Janis Sharp and Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes organised the card, to show support for his plight and to continue to put pressure on the government to block his extradition to the US.
Mr McKinnon is wanted on hacking charges after breaking into to US government systems in 2001 and 2002. He claims to have been looking for evidence of UFOs, but the American Government wants to prosecute him for causing hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage.
Mr Burrowes, who has long campaigned on Mr McKinnon's behalf, said: “The card simply wishes Gary peace this Christmas but recognises the profound concern that it is now nine years since Gary was arrested for allegations of computer hacking.
“I hope that the new year will bring justice for Gary and an end to the nightmare of his life being on the line during this protracted extradition process."
Ms May, when grilled by the committee, refused to be drawn on Mr McKinnon's case, which is currently on hold while she re-evaluates whether to allow extradition.
She did, however, revealed the computer hacker, who lives in Palmers Green, has been asked if he will consent to a psychiatric assessment, and the Home Secretary is currently awaiting a response.
Coalition leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg both pledged during the General Election campaign to stop the 44-year-old from being sent to the US, but it remains unclear whether Ms May will uphold that promise.
http://www.haringeyindependent.co.uk/news/8745114.MPs_back_hacker_as_Home_Sec...
