US 'disappointed' over McKinnon

Gary McKinnon's mother, Janis Sharp, said today was the first time she had woken up not feeling worried. She said Gary was almost scared to believe the decision to block his extradition to the US was real, but the process would now begin to help him recover mentally.

The US Department of Justice said the United States "is disappointed by the UK Home Secretary's decision not to extradite Gary McKinnon, particularly given the past decisions of the UK courts and prior home secretaries that he should face trial in the United States".

"We note that the Home Secretary has described this case as exceptional and, thus, this decision does not set a precedent for future cases," a spokesperson added.

The Guardian is reporting that Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the US State Department, said:

"The United States is disappointed by the decision to deny Gary McKinnon's extradition to face long overdue justice in the United States. We are examining the details of the decision."

Lord Lloyd of Berwick, a crossbench peer and former law lord, has questioned the Government's decision to intervene in the Gary McKinnon case.

He said:

Speaking after Theresa May's decision to block the extradition of Gary McKinnon was announced, London Mayor Boris Johnson: "At last, justice and the well-being of Mr McKinnon have prevailed."

Sting's wife Trudie Styler, who backed the campaign against Gary McKinnon's extradition, has said the Home Secretary has shown "humanity and courage" in making her decision.

She said: "I am delighted that after all the years of wrangling and uncertainty - which, in themselves, have taken a terrible toll on Gary's already poor health - the Home Secretary has shown the humanity and courage to reach this decision.

"As a mother I applaud the steadfast love and support which Janis has given her son as she has fought every inch of the way against Gary's extradition to the USA."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has welcomed the Home Secretary's decision to block the extradition of Gary McKinnon to the US.

He added that he was delighted Theresa May has spoken of setting out plans to "rebalance" the extradition arrangements with the US.

Gary McKinnon's MP David Burrowes has tweeted this picture of him with Gary's mother Janis Sharp and has tweeted: "Delighted that Gary has his life back and his incredible campaigning mum Janis has her son back."

Gary McKinnon's mother Janis Sharp has said she is "overwhelmed" and "incredibly happy" at the decision not to extradite her son to America. She added that she thought the decision taken by Theresa May was "brave".