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Gary McKinnon (Extradition)

My hon. Friend is wrong to say that I am trying to take one bit from here and one bit from there. Those bits and pieces are the European convention on human rights—they are very important, are now part of our law through the Human Rights Act 1998 and are crucial. Cases have to be judged against it. My hon. Friend states the opinion of the public as if she is the arbiter of public opinion. People in this country want to see a proper extradition that is fair and that not only allows us to bring criminals back from abroad—as we have done on many occasions, including from America—but allows other countries where offences are committed to have the same benefits. In the case of America, I have already set out the clear views of the courts. It is not for me or any other politician to decide whether to prosecute. The Law Lord, Lord Justice Lloyd said in the other place that it is absolutely wrong for any politician to decide whether to prosecute—and, by definition, where to prosecute—any individual. That was not a matter for me; it was a matter for the prosecuting authorities. They have decided that Gary McKinnon should stand trial in America.