A failure of duty

Today it was reported on the news that Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, has refused to halt the extradition to America of Gary McKinnon, a British man who is wanted there on charges of hacking into the Pentagon's computer. This would be unremarkable were it not for the fact that Mr Mc Kinnon suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder which affects his ability to reason in the same way as those who don't have the condition and, in turn, leaves him extremely vulnerable. We are told, and we must accept it as read, that Mr McKinnon was looking for evidence of alien life and/or flying saucers. There is little doubt in our view that his actions were the result of naivety, not malicious intent of any kind. Strong representations were made to Mr Johnson that Gary McKinnon's health and state of mind placed him at significant risk in the event of extradition and that as Home Secretary he had the right to block it on medical grounds. Mr Johnson has refused to do this and has not so far provided a satisfactory explanation for his decision, exposing a vulnerable man to the near certainty of a mental breakdown and the possibility of a lifetime behind bars for what at worst was an act of naivety. We would go so far as to say that Mr Johnson should hang his head in shame and, if anything happens to Mr Mc Kinnon, consider his position as Home Secretary. Let us hope that what Mr Johnson lacks in judgement, his counterpart in the United States makes up for in mercy. There is no doubt in our mind that Mr Johnson has spectacularly failed in his duty over this matter.

Comments

He's perfectly able to conduct television interviews. His diagnosis with Asperger's Syndrome came in August 2008, two years after the legal proceedings which decided he should be extradited, he's a criminal, let him face the consequences.
 
I have family members with Asperger's so I am somewhat sympathetic to his alleged plight. That said, Aspies usually have a strong sense of right and wrong. They often see the world in terms of black and white; with little in the way of grey areas. I believe he knew darn well he was breaking the law and doing a bad thing when he hacked the Pentagon.
 

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