Stephen Tall

Huhne slams “shameful” Johnson over McKinnon extradition: “stop being an American poodle and start being a British bulldog”

By | Fri 27th November 2009 - 10:15 am

Lib Dem shadow home secretary Chris Huhne has slammed the decision of Labour’s Alan Johnson to refuse to block the extradition of Gary McKinnon – the self-confessed computer hacker with Asperger’s – to the US on medical grounds.

It is appalling that this Government places a higher value on a deeply unfair extradition agreement than it does on the welfare of a British citizen. Alan Johnson has shamefully turned down the opportunity to demonstrate his faith in British justice and save a vulnerable man from a lifetime in prison or worse.

“The Home Secretary must now step in and ensure that this sorry saga is ended once and for all by trying Gary McKinnon in this country. The Home Secretary should stop being an American poodle and start being a British bulldog.”

Just a month ago, it looked like Mr Johnson had had a change of heart. It’s now clear he has no heart to change.

You can read about how Nick Clegg, Simon Hughes and Alex Carlile have also been championing Mr McKinnon’s case on behalf of the Lib Dems here.

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2 Comments

  • Terry Gilbert 27th Nov '09 - 12:10pm

    Lets hope the European Court can step up to the plate to defend this misguided but probably harmless man with significant personal difficulties from a long stretch in a US jail. Together, Europe can be as powerful as the US, and a force for more humane and civilised values. Ruling this extradition treaty unlawful would be good a start.

  • Sesenco 29th Nov '09 - 2:25pm

    Alan Johnson has proved himself to have about as much backbone as a plate of blancmange. Not only is the man a contemptible, unprincipled wimp and a good-for-nothing liar, he simply doesn’t have the braincells to do the job. He should have stuck to delivering the post in Peckham. Wasn’t Johnson being touted as a replacement for Brown at one point? God help us!

    BTW, I see the government is planning to place a mandatory gag on people who give it scientific advice. All they will be allowed to speak in future is official propaganda, drafted by the Ministry of Truth.

    Come on, Professor Nutt, send Johnson a writ for Christmas.

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