The London-based computer fanatic, who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, broke into Nasa and Pentagon computers in a bid to discover evidence of the existence of alien life.The Mail is campaigning to save Mr McKinnon from extradition, but with each judgement his chances of success diminish. A UK trial would allow him to avoid extradition to America, where he faces 60 years in jail. The High Court, which has turned down his extradition challenges, decided the case did not raise 'points of law of general public importance' - a prerequisite of being able to pursue a case at the higher level.
Mr McKinnon's lawyers said they would now consider applying to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
His mother Janis Sharp said after the decision: "No other country in the world would so readily offer its citizens to the US as sacrificial lambs merely to safeguard a 'special political relationship.To use my desperately vulnerable son in this way is despicable, immoral and devoid of humanity."
Ms Sharp added: "Gordon Brown and Alan Johnson should hang their heads in shame - the judges are only interpreting the law before them, but this Government made the abhorrent law that brought about this situation. They could redeem themselves by taking a brave and principled stand by intervening now before it's too late. What Gary did was wrong, born of his compulsive and obsessive behaviour. But it does not justify Gary's extradition, which would be a cruel and excessive punishment, particularly given his Aspergers. (Daily Mail)
