We'll learn from Theresa May at 12:30pm whether computer hacker Gary McKinnon will be extradited to the US to face trial, but there's already been a notable development this morning. David Burrowes, the Conservative MP for McKinnon's constituency, Enfield Southgate, has confirmed that he will resign as PPS to Environment Secretary Owen Paterson if the extradition goes ahead.
Asked by ITV's Daybreak whether he would stand down, he replied: "That is true, although the real issue today is not about my position in government but the real threat, which is that Gary will take his life if he's extradited." Significantly, Burrowes added that May would have "blood on her hands" if she approved McKinnon's extradition. Here's the full quote:
It’ll be a death sentence if, today, extradition is the answer to Gary McKinnon and that will be a death warrant to him, and that’s something which will be blood on her hands.
Given the likelihood that McKinnon, who has Asperger's syndrome, will kill himself if extradited, let's hope the government has made the right decision.