President hints at softer US stance on hacker

There were calls for the US president to use his state visit to Britain to scrap American attempts to extradite the Asperger’s sufferer.

The 45-year-old faces 60 years behind bars for hacking into Pentagon and Nasa computers between February 2001 and March 2002 while searching for evidence of “little green men”.

There has been a long-running campaign for Mr McKinnon to be allowed to remain in the UK following warnings from medical experts that he could kill himself if sent to the US to face trial.

The case is currently before Home Secretary Theresa May, who has to make a final decision as to whether Mr McKinnon should be extradited.

Speaking during a press conference at Lancaster House, Mr Obama stopped short of abandoning US attempts to extradite Mr McKinnon but he seemed to offer the London-based computer hacker and his family a way out.

“We have proceeded through all the processes required under our extradition agreements. It’s now in the hands of the British legal system,” he said.

“We have confidence in the British legal system coming to a just conclusion, and so we will await resolution and we will be respectful of that process.”

The Prime Minister, referring to Mr McKinnon by his first name, said he understood the “widespread concern” about the way he would be treated if handed over to the US authorities.

He said: “I totally understand the anguish of his mother and family about this issue. We must follow the proper processes and make sure this case is dealt with in the proper way and I am sure that is the case.”

The discussion came after calls earlier this week from Mr McKinnon’s constituency MP David Burrows, for the coalition leadership to raise the issue with Mr Obama during his state visit.

Karen Todner, senior partner at Kaim Todner solicitors, said she was “absolutely delighted” if the US was relaxing its position.

She said Mr McKinnon’s mother Janis Sharp described the President’s comments as “very positive”. Ms Todner said: “Bearing in mind we do have this special relationship, the fact Mr Obama has come out and said he would respect the English judicial system is wonderful.

It is not yet known when Mrs May will decide whether Mr McKinnon must be extradited.