Shortly after 12.30pm yesterday, Home Secretary Theresa May announced her decision to block the extradition of Gary McKinnon to the US. For McKinnon and his many supporters, the decision represents a remarkable and hard-fought victory. But once the euphoria evaporates, what is the likely long-term impact of the decision?
In standing up to the UK’s closest diplomatic ally, May’s decision was certainly brave. The decision was also politically shrewd, at least in domestic terms. McKinnon’s case had become the paradigm example of what critics from all political parties (and the British public at large) consider to be an unfairness at the heart of our extradition laws. But it is difficult to believe that many others will ultimately benefit from the decision.
