Leading counsel insist Home Secretary can stop McKinnon extradition
September 8th, 2009Two top human rights lawyers from Matrix Chambers have provided an unambiguous legal opinion (commissioned by the Daily Mail) declaring that the Home Secretary not only has the power, but also the duty, to intervene in any extradition case even after the court process has ended if there is a real risk of a human rights breach should extradition proceed. This is contrary to the advice being given to Alan Johnson by the Legal Department within the Home Office that there was nothing he could do to prevent the extradition once the Hiigh Court had ruled that it could go ahead. However, the Extradition Act 2003 gives the English courts the primary responsibility – but significantly not the exclusive responsibility – for ensuring that the safeguards built into the Act which protect the defendant’s health and human rights are fully maintained. This indicates unequivocally that the Home Secretary as well as the courts have an essential role to play in extradition issues.
The reasons why the Home Secretary should exercise this discretion and this power that he has I set out in my post on this website on 2 August. Gary McKinnon’s medical condition is such that medical experts have concluded that there is a grave risk to his health, and even to his life, if he is extradited to the US. There is no reason why he cannot face charges in the UK for an act which took place in the UK. In order to persuade Alan Johnson that he has both a right and a duty for these reasons to take a stand in resisting unreasonable US pressure in demanding extradition in these circumstances, I have arranged a cross-party meeting together with David Davis and Chris Huhne at the Home Office tomorrow at 12 noon. I will provide a report after the meeting.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Johnson has proved he is infit for this position.
Mackinnon is a seeker nothing else.
Aliens we are the aliens so what now?
I hope the Americans act with common sense and free him totally showing the Brit justice system to be seen as completley out of date run by unqualified MPs.
March 18th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
I must say Michael; your website is brilliant and your views on Gary and on the the al-Megrahi decision, reflect a brave traditional Labour/socialist viewpoint.
Unfortunately there are few left in New Labour that have Traditional Labour/socialist standards.
Knowing this and knowing that New Labour keep the good people down at the bottom and don’t let them into cabinet; do you think we traditional Labour voters should vote for the Lib Dems?
If not, then who? It’s clear that New Labour are right wing pretending to be left.
Jay
March 18th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Comments welcome: http://bit.ly/b9aPff #FreeGary
March 18th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
RT @JanisSharp: Comments welcome: http://bit.ly/b9aPff #FreeGary
March 18th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
RT @Adrienne65: RT @JanisSharp: Comments welcome: http://bit.ly/b9aPff #FreeGary
March 18th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
This is mental, does the UK government have any idea about what you should be afforded, being from here?: http://is.gd/aNxao
March 18th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Alan Johnson should go ! Its time to end this ordeal for the Mckinnon/Sharp family !
March 18th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
RT @cliffsull: Retweet and add your comment – #Garymckinnon #Michael_Meecher MP – a Sensible blog from the Top! http://bit.ly/b9aPff #
March 18th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
RT @JanisSharp Comments welcome: http://bit.ly/b9aPff #FreeGary
March 18th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
RT @JanisSharp: Comments welcome: http://bit.ly/b9aPff #FreeGary
March 18th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
well said @billythekid http://bit.ly/b9aPff #FreeGary http://bit.ly/56mnRW
March 18th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Why is this vicious and incompetent Home Secretary still in post?
If Labour think that the British people have given up on truth, justice and fair play, they should think again.
Gary McKinnon hasn’t committed an extraditable offence, and Alan Johnson needs to stop peddling his transparent and malicious lies, man up and do his duty under Section6 of the HRA. This extradition should have been stopped years ago.
Is our government really this useless?
March 18th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
RT: @JanisSharp: Comments welcome: http://bit.ly/b9aPff #FreeGary
March 18th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
#freegary http://www.michaelmeacher.info/weblog/2009/09/leading-counsel-insist-home-secretary-can-stop-mckinnon-extradition/
March 18th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
#garymckinnon http://www.michaelmeacher.info/weblog/2009/09/leading-counsel-insist-home-secretary-can-stop-mckinnon-extradition/
March 18th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
#freegary Michael Meacher MP Leading counsel insist Home Secretary can stop McKinnon extradition http://bit.ly/b9aPff
March 18th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
#freegary Michael Meacher MP the Home Secretary not only has the power, but also the duty http://bit.ly/b9aPff
March 18th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
#freegary Michael Meacher MP if there is a real risk of a human rights breach should extradition proceed http://bit.ly/b9aPff
March 18th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
#freegary Michael Meacher MP This is contrary to the advice being given to Alan Johnson http://bit.ly/b9aPff
March 18th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
#freegary Michael Meacher MP "contrary to the advice being given to Alan Johnson by the Legal Department" http://bit.ly/b9aPff
March 18th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
#freegary Michael Meacher MP experts have concluded that there is a grave risk to his health and even to his life http://bit.ly/b9aPff
March 18th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
#freegary Michael Meacher MP no reason why he cannot face charges in the UK for an act which took place in the UK http://bit.ly/b9aPff
March 18th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
#freegary Michael Meacher MP top human rights lawyers from Matrix Chambers have provided an unambiguous legal opinion http://bit.ly/b9aPff
March 18th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
RT @harlechnnorfolk: #freegary Michael Meacher MP Leading counsel insist Home Secretary can stop McKinnon extradition http://bit.ly/b9aPff
March 19th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT
March 19th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
RT: @JanisSharp: Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT
March 19th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT
March 19th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
RT @dandelion101: Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT
March 28th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
RT @dandelion101: Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT
March 28th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
RT @LisaTw: RT @dandelion101: Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT
March 31st, 2010 at 3:14 pm
RT @dandelion101: Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT
April 8th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
RT @cliffsull
RT @dandelion101: Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT
April 9th, 2010 at 12:38 am
RT @dandelion101: Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT
May 26th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
RT @dandelion101: Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT
May 26th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
RT @dandelion101: Michael Meacher supports #GaryMcKinnon See website: http://bit.ly/bjBJdL #FreeGary RT