Q&A: Janis Sharp speaks out about her son Gary McKinnon

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The past week has likely been one of hope and confusion for Gary McKinnon.

The admitted hacker and Asperger's sufferer is looking to avoid extradition to the US over charges he cracked into government systems there. His mother Janis Sharp has been one of his chief supporters and a vocal campaigner, drawing in support from the likes of the Daily Mail, Sting, and Nick Clegg - now Deputy Prime Minister.

Indeed, the coalition Government has been a source of some hope for the family, with Home Secretary Theresa May last week holding off on a judicial review in order to review new medical reports.

However, the light at the end of the tunnel had some shadow cast on it as Clegg has now suggested he may not actually have the legal clout to do anything to prevent McKinnon's extradition.

In an exclusive interview with IT PRO, Sharp talks about her worries for her son and why she thinks the coalition will be positive for the case despite Clegg's claims.

The coalition Government has halted the latest judicial review, but given mixed signals on the eventual outcome. How does it feel that Gary's ordeal - and yours - might finally be over?

I’m still very nervous, probably more than ever and until we have a definite decision that Gary is to be kept in the UK I can’t relax.

Even if Gary is kept in the UK, he might face a UK trial. Do you think that's likely to happen and how would he hold up?

I do think it’s likely to happen and the relief of being kept in his own country cannot be overstated. Gary would have to cope and would have the support of his family and friends around him which is vital to his well-being.

How much of the - hopefully - eventual success of avoiding extradition has been down to luck - having Labour booted out at the election - and how much of it has been down to the campaign you've headed up?

I think the campaign has helped a lot as it has highlighted the injustice of the one-sided extradition treaty. I also think that having the new coalition Government is the only chance that Gary has of not being extradited and we’re incredibly pleased that in the coalition agreement on page 14 section 6 they have said they intend to change the extradition treaty with the US to make it even-handed/equal.

You've had a lot of success with your campaign - how much of that is down to new tech like Twitter and social networking, and how much is down to the old-fashioned methods of meeting people and writing letters and getting newspaper coverage?

We’ve had incredible support from a wide range of people and organizations such as Gary’s amazing legal team who Gary describes as Super Heroes and also Liberty, Bell Yard, The National Autistic Association and numerous newspapers including the Daily Mail, the Guardian, The Telegraph, The Sunday Post, The Express and many others plus various computer mags including the Register, Zdnet, the Inquirer and other publications including this one.

Over 3,000 people on Twitter have Free Gary on their Twitter avatar and many more support Gary and have become close Twitter friends that have helped me to keep my spirits up when I’ve been at rock bottom.

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