DPP McKinnon decision may be delayed
The decision as to whether to prosecute Nasa hacker Gary McKinnon in the UK may be pushed back further.
On 15 January McKinnon's solicitor, Karen Todner, told me that she had received a fax from the director of public prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer saying the DPP should make a decision about McKinnon's prosecution within four weeks.
That four weeks almost being up, I decided to give the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) a ring. I was told that the DPP's letter had said he "hoped" to reach a decision within four weeks, in other words, it may be longer.
Now this could be the CPS playing safe, or it could be that the decision will be delayed yet further.
McKinnon actively requested that he be prosecuted in the UK in December. He is seeking to avoid extradition to the US to face what US prosecutors have described as "the biggest military hack of all time".
McKinnon has admitted to hacking offences under the Computer Misuse Act, which carry a maximum penalty of five years. In the US he could be charged under anti-terrorism legislation with a maximum penalty of seventy years.
He has also been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, leading autism experts to argue he should not be imprisoned at all.