High Court judges want swift resolution to Gary McKinnon case

The High Court is pushing for the long-running extradition case involving Gary McKinnon to be brought to a rapid conclusion.

Two judges have now listed the case for a hearing in July, after deciding that the case could not be allowed to drag on, according to The Press Association.

The judges acted after hearing that the home secretary was reviewing whether McKinnon should be extradited to the US to face charges for hacking in to Pentagon computers.

A barrister representing the Home Secretary told the High Court the latest review had added to the delay, but was necessary as a change in government meant that the evidence had to be considered anew.

Home secretary Theresa May originally adjourned a judicial review in order to allow her to review the case in May 2010.

Lord Justice Richards said the case had been "dragging on for a very long time" and needs to be resolved soon.

Protestors fighting for McKinnon had hoped that a change in government would lead to a resolution on the case, especially after US president Barack Obama hinted the US may drop the case, but this has yet to happen.

The case comes as the UK looks to extradite Richard O'Dwyer, a computer science student from Sheffield, who faces five years in a federal prison after a judge ruled he could be sent to the US to face charges of copyright infringement.