Update June 2008: McKinnon's legal team have managed to keep him in the UK so far, but the results of a hearing that was held on May 16, 2008 might change that. Although complicated, the House of Lords process may ultimately decide whether McKinnon is sent to the USA, allowed to stay in the UK or given the opportunity to serve a predetermined sentence in the UK based on a conviction under American Law. The problem is that U.S. and UK Laws differ in many ways and trying to match up the processes involved is no easy task no matter what side of this issue you are on. Many believe that Britain's lack of enthusiasm to prosecute McKinnon may be motivated by their own secrecy or even revenge. Some people say that McKinnon was secretly and unknowingly being used as a pawn by one or more British Intelligence Services. They believe that these services wanted to know what the U.S. Military did and does about ETs and their agenda. Others say that failure of the USA to turn over IRA supporters, sympathizers, fund-raisers and members to the UK during the 1960s and 1970s has resulted in the current stalemate with McKinnon.
Background: A Briton accused of hacking into Nasa and US military computer networks has spoken out about his experiences. (Gary McKinnon was arrested by the UK's national high-tech crime unit in 2002.)
McKinnon earns Lords appeal
Pentagon hacker in legal victory
By John Leyden
Published Tuesday 31st July 2007 10:30 GMT
Gary McKinnon, the British hacker facing extradition over allegations he broke into US Military and NASA sites, has earned the right to take his case to the House of Lords.
The law Lords agreed to hear arguments that US authorities acted in an "oppressive" and "arbitrary" manner during plea bargaining negotiations, for example by allegedly threatening McKinnon over the loss of rights to serve part of his sentence in the UK unless he submitted to voluntary extradition.
The House of Lords was not bound to consider McKinnon's final appeal - for example it declined to hear the appeal of the NatWest Three bankers, so the Lords' decision is a significant fillip for McKinnon and his legal team.
Background: A Briton accused of hacking into Nasa and US military computer networks has spoken out about his experiences. (Gary McKinnon was arrested by the UK's national high-tech crime unit in 2002.)
McKinnon earns Lords appeal
Pentagon hacker in legal victory
By John Leyden
Published Tuesday 31st July 2007 10:30 GMT
Gary McKinnon, the British hacker facing extradition over allegations he broke into US Military and NASA sites, has earned the right to take his case to the House of Lords.
The law Lords agreed to hear arguments that US authorities acted in an "oppressive" and "arbitrary" manner during plea bargaining negotiations, for example by allegedly threatening McKinnon over the loss of rights to serve part of his sentence in the UK unless he submitted to voluntary extradition.
The House of Lords was not bound to consider McKinnon's final appeal - for example it declined to hear the appeal of the NatWest Three bankers, so the Lords' decision is a significant fillip for McKinnon and his legal team.
