BETRAYED: Spineless Labour MPs who backed Asperger's victim's bid to beat extradition desert him.
Labour MPs were accused of hypocrisy last night after abandoning Gary McKinnon in his fight against extradition to the U.S.
Dozens had previously given written pledges of their support to the Asperger's Syndrome sufferer.
But only eight stuck to their guns and joined the Tories and Liberal Democrats in voting against the Government.
Dozens had previously given written pledges of their support to the Asperger's Syndrome sufferer.
But only eight stuck to their guns and joined the Tories and Liberal Democrats in voting against the Government.
During a highly-charged debate, a floundering Home Secretary Alan Johnson faced criticism from all sides over the decision to let Mr McKinnon be taken to the U.S. for trial on charges of computer hacking, where he faces a sentence of up to 60 years.
When it came to a vote, however, 74 Labour MPs who had previously signed Commons motions backing Mr McKinnon or demanding a review of extradition agreements with the U.S. failed to go against the party line. Fifty-nine voted with the Government and 15 abstained.
Tory justice spokesman David Burrowes, Mr McKinnon's MP in Enfield Southgate, said: 'It's a sad day for Parliament.
'There's rank hypocrisy on the part of MPs who on the one hand express concern for Gary and about the extradition treaty but on the other hand are not willing to put their money where their mouth is.'
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling said: 'It's exactly this kind of behaviour that brings Parliament into disrepute.'
When it came to a vote, however, 74 Labour MPs who had previously signed Commons motions backing Mr McKinnon or demanding a review of extradition agreements with the U.S. failed to go against the party line. Fifty-nine voted with the Government and 15 abstained.
Tory justice spokesman David Burrowes, Mr McKinnon's MP in Enfield Southgate, said: 'It's a sad day for Parliament.
'There's rank hypocrisy on the part of MPs who on the one hand express concern for Gary and about the extradition treaty but on the other hand are not willing to put their money where their mouth is.'
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling said: 'It's exactly this kind of behaviour that brings Parliament into disrepute.'
Can't say I am surprised! Hypocrisy is one thing that gets the steam coming out my ears. Say what you mean and mean what you say, then we all know where we are.
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