UFO hacker will not be tried in Britain for US crimes
Gary McKinnon, whose extradition to face charges of accessing U.S. government computers was halted, will not be tried in Britain.
Home Secretary blocks Gary McKinnon's extradition to US
The Home Secretary has decided to block a request to extradite computer hacker Gary McKinnon to the US on the grounds of his human rights.
Gary McKinnon set to learn extradition fate
Computer hacker Gary McKinnon is due to find out whether the Home Secretary will end his 10-year battle against extradition to the US.
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UFO hacker will not be tried in Britain for US crimes
Gary McKinnon, whose extradition to face charges of accessing U.S. government computers was halted, will not be tried in Britain.
Read the full storyUnited States 'disappointed' by McKinnon decision
The United States has expressed its disappointment in the decision taken by the CPS not to prosecute Gary McKinnon. The US Embassy in London released a statement saying:
The United States was disappointed by the UK Home Secretary’s decision not to extradite Gary McKinnon, particularly in light of the UK courts’ and prior Home Secretaries’ decisions that he should face trial in the United States.
We note that the Home Secretary acknowledged the seriousness of the crimes of which Mr. McKinnon is accused, and described this case as exceptional, indicating that her decision does not set a precedent for future cases.
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Police and CPS explain McKinnon decision
The Director of Public Prosecutions and the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service released a joint statement explaining their decision not to take further action against Gary McKinnon.
They identified a number of reasons why pursuing a prosecution would not be in the public interest:
- Gary McKinnon is was originally supposed to be tried in the US; in October 2012, when the Home Secretary decided not to extradite him, there was no live criminal investigation against him in the UK, nor had there been for many years
- As far as building a case against McKinnon in the UK was concerned, "the harm occurred in the US", the investigation was launched in the US, most of the witnesses are in the US and nearly all the physical evidence is in the US
- US authorities, though willing to co-operate with a prosecution, would not agree transfer witnesses or evidence to the UK
- The "prospect of a conviction in the UK which reflects the full extent of his alleged criminality are not high"
'CPS have declared decision not to prosecute McKinnon'
The Crown Prosecution Service have declared their decision not to prosecute Gary McKinnon in the UK.
They state that the appropriate jurisdiction would be the United States, which is an interesting decision bearing in mind Mr McKinnon was originally arrested and interviewed by British police in 2002.
Mr McKinnon has always indicated that he would be willing to plead guilty to an offence under the Misuse of Computers Act but clearly cannot do so if he is not going to be prosecuted.
– Gary McKinnon's solicitors Kaim TodnerMr McKinnon's legal team remains aware that his extradition warrant is still outstanding and will seek to explore other ways in which Mr McKinnon can receive complete closure on this long saga.
McKinnon won't face any further criminal action
Computer hacker Gary McKinnon will face no further criminal action, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, has said.
The decision follows a review of the case after the Government's decision to block his extradition to the United States in October on health grounds.
Mr McKinnon, 46, from Wood Green, north London, would have faced up to 60 years in prison if convicted in the US.
McKinnon will face no further criminal action
Computer hacker Gary McKinnon will face no further criminal action, Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC said today.
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Announcement expected on UK prosecution of Gary McKinnon
An announcement is expected this afternoon from the Crown Prosecution Service on the possible UK prosecution of the computer hacker Gary McKinnon, his lawyers said.
The 46-year-old who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome admits hacking into the computers but claims that he was looking for evidence of UFOs.
US Attorney General 'disappointed' by McKinnon ruling
The US Attorney General Eric Holder has admitted that he was "disappointed" with Theresa May's decision to block the extradition of computer hacker Gary McKinnon.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he denied reports that he felt "completely screwed" by the ruling and insisted his relationship with the Home Secretary "remains strong".
Mr Holder also said the extradition relationship between the US and UK - which some have claimed is one-sided - is "fair and balanced".
McKinnon 'to begin recovery' after extradition decision
Gary McKinnon's mother, Janis Sharp, said today was the first time she had woken up not feeling worried. She said Gary was almost scared to believe the decision to block his extradition to the US was real, but the process would now begin to help him recover mentally.
Daily Mail: 'A great day for Gary and British justice'
