FREE GARY MCKINNON -

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Keep Gary McKinnon FREE

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Sorry for writing to you out of the blue but I need your help at this crucial time for my son Gary McKinnon. It will only take a few minutes of your time and could save Gary’s life. It is more than 9 years since Gary was arrested in march 2002 for computer hacking while searching for UFO’s. The past nine years have taken its toll on us all but we are now close to the end and need a little help to try and make sure that we get a good end for Gary and that he is allowed to remain in the U.K with us his family.

Please download and send Postcards, or make or buy your own postcards to help Gary McKInnon who has Aspergers/Autism to remain in the U.K and not to be dragged thousands of miles away from his home and family.

Please send postcards to:

Theresa May,

The Home Office,

2 Marsham Street,

London,

SW1P 4DF.

Every Postcard counts and will help Gary to remain in the U.K

Please email these links to your friends and ask them to send a postcard including their own message asking Theresa may to keep Gary in the U.K. .

Children enjoy drawing/colouring in blank postcards and sending to the Home Office to help Gary.

http://www.londontv.net/postcard.html - postcards

http://www.londontv.net/help_gary.html - links to addresses and postcards

or create your own and send to: The Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, SW1P 4DF

BBC link to President Obama and David Cameron talking about Gary in May 2011 here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13551467

Links to what the politicians said - http://www.londontv.net/david_camerons_words.html

Thank you so much in anticipation of your help, it means so very much to us.

Very Best Wishes

Janis Sharp (Gary McKInnon’s Mum)

By Nicole Kobie, 20 Oct 2009 at 08:49 taken from ITPRO website
(ITPRO)

A parlimentary committee is to publically question Home Secretary Alan Johnson about the extradition treaty with the US that could see hacker Gary McKinnon face an American court.

According to a report in the Telegraph, the Home Affairs select committee wants to understand how the treaty between the UK and the US is used, and whether or not Johnson should be given the power to ask for trials to be held in the UK - something McKinnon's supporters have been asking for.

Fresh hope for Gary McKinnon as his U.S. extradition is delayed
follow the link for full article
http://www.itpro.co.uk/616492/alan-johnson-to-be-questioned-by-mps-over-mckinnon

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By James Slack and Michael Seamark
(Daily Mail)
Last updated at 1:18 AM on 17th October 2009

The Home Secretary has halted Gary McKinnon's extradition to consider new medical evidence about the computer hacker's mental state.

The Asperger's victim had been told he could be sent to the U.S. - where he faces 60 years in jail for hacking into military computers - by the end of this month.

But in an unexpected move, Alan Johnson has stopped the extradition clock.

He has asked Home Office lawyers to consider the implications of fresh evidence about Mr McKinnon's state of psychiatric health.

The Daily Mail has been at the forefront of a campaign to prevent the extradition.

Mr McKinnon's mother Janis Sharp has described the 43-yearold as 'broken and suicidal' and experts have warned he could take his own life if extradited.

She said yesterday: 'I am extremely pleased Alan Johnson is doing this. I am sure that when he sees such strong evidence he will realise he should intervene and stop the extradition.

'Even at this late stage I hope when confronted with such compelling-evidence he will show the compassion that the people of this country are longing to see. Gary is pleased and relieved. It is the best news he has received for a long time and it gives him some hope.'

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: 'The Home Secretary has sat on his hands for too long, even in the face of legal advice from leading advocates that contradicts the Home Office's position.

'This new psychiatric report into Gary McKinnon's condition must persuade him that it is no longer acceptable to shrug his shoulders and claim that nothing can be done.

Fresh hope for Gary McKinnon as his U.S. extradition is delayed 17th October 2009 * Comments (0) * Add to My Stories Gary McKinnon is said to be suicidal over his possible extradition Gary McKinnon is said to be suicidal over his possible extradition The Home Secretary has halted Gary McKinnon's extradition to consider new medical evidence about the computer hacker's mental state. The Asperger's victim had been told he could be sent to the U.S. - where he faces 60 years in jail for hacking into military computers - by the end of this month. But in an unexpected move, Alan Johnson has stopped the extradition clock. He has asked Home Office lawyers to consider the implications of fresh evidence about Mr McKinnon's state of psychiatric health. The Daily Mail has been at the forefront of a campaign to prevent the extradition. Mr McKinnon's mother Janis Sharp has described the 43-yearold as 'broken and suicidal' and experts have warned he could take his own life if extradited. She said yesterday: 'I am extremely pleased Alan Johnson is doing this. I am sure that when he sees such strong evidence he will realise he should intervene and stop the extradition. 'Even at this late stage I hope when confronted with such compelling-evidence he will show the compassion that the people of this country are longing to see. Gary is pleased and relieved. It is the best news he has received for a long time and it gives him some hope.' Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: 'The Home Secretary has sat on his hands for too long, even in the face of legal advice from leading advocates that contradicts the Home Office's position. 'This new psychiatric report into Gary McKinnon's condition must persuade him that it is no longer acceptable to shrug his shoulders and claim that nothing can be done. More... * Campaigners for Gary McKinnon make a last appeal to Home Secretary Alan Johnson * Hacker Gary McKinnon 'suicidal' after judges turn down his appeal over extradition 'Alan Johnson should do the decent thing and intervene to ensure that Gary is tried in Britain, where he committed his crime and confessed to it.' Mr McKinnon's solicitor Karen Todner said: 'We are pleased that the Home Secretary is considering these representations. We hope that he will take the time to consider them fully and will have some compassion towards Gary, whose mental state is extremely precarious. ' Mr Johnson's decision to stall the extradition is highly surprising as he has always insisted he is powerless to intervene in the case - a claim hotly contested by independent lawyers. By halting the process, even temporarily, he appears to be conceding he is at least free to consider Mr McKinnon's plight. Campaigners will point to the fact that, if he could do nothing, there would be no reason to even study the latest 60-page medical report. The Home Office may, however, be seeking simply to take all possible steps to avoid further legal challenges. Rejecting the evidence outright could prompt a judicial review, or action by the European Court of Human Rights. The consequences of Mr Johnson's actions are that, at the very least, Mr McKinnon has been given more time to fight extradition. A decision last Friday to bar the UFO fanatic from appealing to the Supreme Court left him with just 14 days to appeal to Europe, or face boarding a plane to the U.S. to face charges of hacking Nasa and Pentagon computers. Mr Johnson's lawyers say that, given the new evidence handed to the Home Office earlier this week, they consider that process to have been stopped. The 14 days will not begin until Mr Johnson has reached a decision on the medical evidence. He is expected to receive advice from officials in the next few days. Mr Johnson has always insisted he cannot halt the extradition but Lord Carlile, the Home Secretary's own adviser on terror laws, said he is satisfied the minister does have the power to intervene. In a blistering letter to the Home Secretary, he said placing Mr McKinnon at the mercy of the U.S. courts would be 'disproportionate, unnecessary and unconscionable'. In a legal opinion obtained by the Daily Mail, two barristers from Cherie Blair's Matrix chambers said Mr Johnson can - and must - intervene. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1220988/Fresh-hope-Gary-McKinnon-U-S-extradition-delayed.html#ixzz0UBZ75LIK Friday, October 9, 2009 The Government's extradition treaty with the United States has come under fire after computer hacker Gary McKinnon was refused permission to appeal to the Supreme Court against his pending removal to America to face charges of breaking into the Pentagon's military networks. Condemnation of the High Court decision was led by Mr McKinnon's mother, who said her son was being "offered up as a sacrificial lamb" to safeguard the UK's "special political relationship" with America. Mr McKinnon, from Wood Green, north London, who has Asperger's Syndrome, insists his hacking was simply aimed at searching for reports of UFO sightings, R} Janis Sharp said: "To use my desperately vulnerable son in this way is despicable, immoral and devoid of humanity." Tory backbencher David Davis said: "The reason this decision has been arrived at is because the British Government created a set of laws and agreements which, masquerading as anti-terror laws, actually disadvantaged a whole range of British citizens. "This is why the courts find themselves having to dispatch this man to America, when he should face a proper trial in British courts. It is long past time that this travesty of justice was put right." Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "The Government's one-sided extradition treaty with the US and its refusal to stand up to the Americans looks like it will result in a vulnerable man being hung out to dry." The High Court, which has turned down Mr McKinnon's extradition challenges, refused leave to appeal, ruling that the case did not raise "points of law of general public importance" - a prerequisite of being able to pursue a cause in the new Supreme Court. His lawyers said they would now consider applying to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. They argue that extraditing him would lead to "disastrous consequences" for his health, including possible psychosis and suicide. CHICAGO - CHANGE the WORLD original song by Graham Nash This is a Plea to Barack Obama to come from Chicago, to help Change the World and to allow Gary McKinnon to have his life back DAVID GILMOUR BOB GELDOF CHRISSIE HYNDE GARY McKINNON follow this link for the official webpage: http://www.londontv.net/freegarymckinnon.html
More..

* Campaigners for Gary McKinnon make a last appeal to Home Secretary Alan Johnson
* Hacker Gary McKinnon 'suicidal' after judges turn down his appeal over extradition

'Alan Johnson should do the decent thing and intervene to ensure that Gary is tried in Britain, where he committed his crime and confessed to it.'

Mr McKinnon's solicitor Karen Todner said: 'We are pleased that the Home Secretary is considering these representations. We hope that he will take the time to consider them fully and will have some compassion towards Gary, whose mental state is extremely precarious. '

Mr Johnson's decision to stall the extradition is highly surprising as he has always insisted he is powerless to intervene in the case - a claim hotly contested by independent lawyers.

By halting the process, even temporarily, he appears to be conceding he is at least free to consider Mr McKinnon's plight.

Campaigners will point to the fact that, if he could do nothing, there would be no reason to even study the latest 60-page medical report.

The Home Office may, however, be seeking simply to take all possible steps to avoid further legal challenges.

Rejecting the evidence outright could prompt a judicial review, or action by the European Court of Human Rights.

The consequences of Mr Johnson's actions are that, at the very least, Mr McKinnon has been given more time to fight extradition.

A decision last Friday to bar the UFO fanatic from appealing to the Supreme Court left him with just 14 days to appeal to Europe, or face boarding a plane to the U.S. to face charges of hacking Nasa and Pentagon computers.

Mr Johnson's lawyers say that, given the new evidence handed to the Home Office earlier this week, they consider that process to have been stopped.

The 14 days will not begin until Mr Johnson has reached a decision on the medical evidence. He is expected to receive advice from officials in the next few days.

Mr Johnson has always insisted he cannot halt the extradition but Lord Carlile, the Home Secretary's own adviser on terror laws, said he is satisfied the minister does have the power to intervene.

In a blistering letter to the Home Secretary, he said placing Mr McKinnon at the mercy of the U.S. courts would be 'disproportionate, unnecessary and unconscionable'.

In a legal opinion obtained by the Daily Mail, two barristers from Cherie Blair's Matrix chambers said Mr Johnson can - and must - intervene.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1220988/Fresh-hope-Gary-McKinnon-U-S-extradition-delayed.html#ixzz0UBZ75LIK

Alan Johnson is accused of a cover-up over Gary McKinnon's legal battle

By James Slack and Michael Seamark
Last updated at 11:42 PM on 06th September 2009

* Comments (20)
* Add to My Stories

Alan Johnson was last night accused of presiding over a cover-up after refusing to release crucial legal papers in the Gary McKinnon case.

The Home Secretary has repeatedly insisted that he is powerless to halt the extradition of the 43-year-old Asperger's sufferer to the U.S., where he faces 60 years in jail for computer hacking.

But Mr Johnson's officials have denied a request from the Daily Mail to release the legal advice on which this hugely controversial claim is based.

The officials admit there is a 'public interest' in the country having faith in the Home Secretary's decision being based on 'sound' legal advice.
Fighting on: Gary McKinnon with his mother Janis Sharp

Fighting on: Gary McKinnon with his mother Janis Sharp

But they claim that by publishing the information, it may make the Government and lawyers reluctant to seek or provide legal advice in the future - even though the bulk of the legal opinion provided on Gary's case came from within the Home Office itself.

Last night, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling said: 'I just can't understand what the Home Office are trying to hide. There is a legal debate raging about a high profile case.

'Why on earth would they try to avoid setting out in detail their own legal position. It just makes no sense.'

The Mail is campaigning to save Gary from extradition to the U.S. on charges that he hacked into NASA and Pentagon computers.

The legal advice is crucial to his case, given the row over whether or not Mr Johnson can stop the extradition. At least three senior lawyers say he has the power to halt the process.

By refusing to release the papers, the public is denied the chance to see if Mr Johnson's interpretation is correct.
home secretary

If it were to be established that Mr Johnson could intervene, the pressure on him to stop the extradition would be overwhelming.

Gary's mother Janis Sharp said she was 'astounded' by the decision to turn down the Mail's Freedom of Information request.

'The public have to trust their elected government and the way to achieve this is through openness and honesty and not for them to hide behind secret facts or beliefs that cannot be discussed or contested by the public,' she said.

'Mr Johnson previously had a reputation for fairness and upholding humanitarian ideals. I therefore hope he will change his mind and give voters the respect they deserve by being open and honest.

'Choosing to keep such information secret smacks of a totalitarian society and only serves to further destroy confidence in our Government.'

Home Office officials said: 'There is. . . a public interest in knowing that decisions made were done so on the basis of sound legal advice.

But they added: ' Considerations favouring nondisclosure of this information include the need to protect the space of those who offer and receive legal advice.'

They said the 'premature release' of confidential legal advice would discourage 'officials from requesting and sharing such advice' in the future. That would not be in the public interest.

The Mail is planning to appeal against the refusal to release the legal advice.

Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, said: 'If their hands are really tied over Gary McKinnon's extradition then where is the harm in disclosing that?' In July, two High Court judges ruled that they could not stop the Government from sending Gary to the U.S.

But they said in a pointed statement that, if extradited 'his mental health will suffer and there are risks of worse, including suicide'.

Crucially, the judges also said the hacker could be prosecuted in London - which would halt extradition.

Later this year, Gary, from North London, is hoping to take his case to appeal at the new Supreme Court, which next month replaces the Law Lords as the highest court in the land.

In the aftermath of the High Court ruling, Cabinet Minister Peter Hain broke ranks and said Gary should be tried in the UK.

The Mail's campaign to save Gary has won support from politicians, celebrities, health experts and autism charities.

Last week, the Mail revealed how the American Civil Liberties Union described Gary's plight as 'tragic'.

In a letter to Foreign Secretary David Miliband, the group said Gary was facing removal to the U.S. under an Extradition Act which is ' lopsided' and 'unfair' to Brit

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1211616/Alan-Johnson-accused-cover-Garys-legal-battle.html#ixzz0QQq9E8Is

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2237027/lord-carlile-protests-uk-hacker

Lord Carlile sides with McKinnon in extradition battle

Influential QC asks home secretary to keep hacker in the UK

Written by Rosalie Marshall

vnunet.com, 23 Feb 2009

Lord Carlile of Berriew, the government's independent reviewer of terrorism laws, has spoken out against the proposed extradition of London hacker Gary McKinnon to the US.

McKinnon stands accused of accessing and damaging 92 US government computers holding information on national defence, but has argued that he should be tried in the UK because the conditions of detention he would face if convicted in the US would be degrading and an infringement of his human rights.

In a letter seen by The Guardian, Lord Carlile asked home secretary Jacqui Smith to help McKinnon to be prosecuted in the UK because "the acts of hacking occurred within our jurisdiction".

Lord Carlile also noted that McKinnon has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, and that a US extradition would be likely to cause a "potential injury to his health of a high order". Asperger's is a type of autism which causes restricted patterns of behaviour and significant difficulties in social interaction.
I have been asked to pass on some information to anyone that would like to help Gary McKinnon.

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Please sign the Petition for Gary please forward the link to all you friends etc
http://signup4garymckinnon.yolasite.com/

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/SIGNUP4GARY/
PETITION TO U.S PRESIDENT

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