'I didn't meet Gary McKinnon or his mother,' admits judge who led review of UK's extradition treaty (but he did speak with U.S. lawmakers)

The judge behind a ‘whitewash’ review of extradition has admitted he had not met Gary McKinnon, the Asperger’s sufferer who faces being sent to the U.S. for trial on hacking charges.

Lord Justice Scott Baker told MPs that while preparing his report into the treaty between Britain and the U.S. he did not speak to Mr McKinnon, his mother Janis, his legal team or any other suspects facing extradition to America.

Instead, the former high court judge travelled to the U.S. to spend a week with prosecutors involved in extradition cases.

MPs passed a motion this month for ‘urgent reform’ of the treaty. Critics say it is biased in favour of America, which requires stronger evidence than the UK for the extradition of its citizens. Read More