So disappointing and so prolonged was the disinterest shown by other sections of the media in Gary McKinnon s plight that from where we stood, our campaign of support for the Pentagon hacker in his fight to avoid extradition has felt very much like plough

So disappointing and so prolonged was the disinterest shown by other sections of the media in Gary McKinnon's plight that from where we stood, our campaign of support for the Pentagon hacker in his fight to avoid extradition has felt very much like ploughing a lonely furrow.

But at last one of the 'Fleet Street' heavyweights has woken up to what can only be described as a dreadful legal calumny and taken up the cudgels - albeit more than three years after the Ham&High first drew the world's attention to this shameful situation.

Last Friday the belatedly indignant Daily Mail ran banner headlines on its front page, accurately describing Mr McKinnon's plight as 'An Affront To British Justice'.

It would be unkind to point out at this stage that most national newspapers, the Daily Mail included, have been virtually ignoring this disgraceful affront for years on end. Let's just welcome them on board.

Mr McKinnon is no cyber terrorist, but he is being treated as one by the authorities he embarrassed in the US and he needs all the support he can get.

The Mail now has a petition which will add to the thousands of signatures gathered over the last 40 months following sustained publicity in the Ham&High Series. We sincerely hope that the flood of support now being seen for Mr McKinnon becomes an unstoppable torrent of outrage, not just of Daily Mail and Ham&High readers, but of all those who believe in the importance of justice and fair play.

Geoff Martin

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