Daily Mail campaigns to try McKinnon in UK

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 3 Jul 2009 at 11:34

Hacker Gary McKinnon has found an unlikely ally in The Daily Mail.

The newspaper has today devoted its entire front page to the launch of a campaign to prevent the British hacker being extradited to face trial in the US.

The 43-year-old Asperger's Syndrome sufferer could spend the rest of his life in jail if found guilty of hacking into Pentagon and NASA computers.

Previous Home Secretary Jacqui Smith refused requests to have McKinnon tried in the UK. Now the newspaper is turning up the heat on her successor, Alan Johnson.

"With absurd ease, Asperger's victim Gary hacked into Pentagon computers in a bid to prove the existence of little green men," the newspaper's front page reads. "So why is the US using all its might to extradite him to face 60 years in jail? And more pertinently, why are our craven politicians doing nothing to help him?"

The newspaper calls on Johnson to halt extradition proceedings. "Gary could then be properly - but fairly - dealt with in the country in which his crimes were committed, close to his loving and supportive family."

McKinnon already has the support of Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling and Lib Dems Home Affairs spokesman Chris Huhne, both of whom have expressed concern over the extradition.

McKinnon also has a number of high-profile supporters, including Sting, Terry Waite and former Pink Floyd musician David Gilmour.

Gary McKinnon: Britain's hacking hero? Click here to read our feature