U.K. computer hacker Gary McKinnon's legion of vocal supporters rejoiced last week when British Home Secretary Theresa May announced that she was putting the brakes on U.S. efforts to extradite him.

This week, however, they're furious over Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's assertion that his government, in effect, has to do whatever our government tells it to do.

Accused of breaking into NASA and U.S. Army computers in 2001 and 2002, the 44-year-old McKinnon could face up to 60 years in prison if convicted in this country. He says that he was looking for – and found – evidence of extraterrestrial activity on planet Earth.

The jury’s still out on that one, but McKinnon’s lawyers argue that extraditing their client, who suffers from Asperger Syndrome , would constitute a breach of his human rights. Moreover, seven years into his extradition tug-of-war with the United States, McKinnon has become suicidal.

Human rights issues notwithstanding, London’s Daily Mail reported May 26 that Deputy Prime Minister Clegg believes that it “may not be within (his) Government’s power” to fight extradition.

Think about that.

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