THE home secretary has defended his handling of the Gary McKinnon case, saying his Asperger syndrome is "not a reason why he cannot face the courts".

Alan Johnson spoke of his decision to permit the extradition to go ahead during a visit to open a new police station in Hertford Road last week.

He claimed the criminal justice system had been "there" for the 46-year-old, who is facing 60 years in prison if convicted in the United States of breaking into Pentagon computers.

Speaking to the Enfield Independent, Mr Johnson said: "Home secretaries do not decide whether to prosecute people, that is the job of the director of public prosecutions.

"It was his decision to prosecute and his decision to extradite. All the courts have upheld that decision."

He added: "When he was diagnosed with Asperger's, I decided to look again at the case. It was my decision to do this.

"But he is accused and has admitted to some very serious offences and Asperger's is not a reason why he cannot face the courts.

"Now he is going through the courts again. I believe the criminal justice system has been there for the family."

In January, lawyers acting on Mr McKinnon's behalf were granted a judicial review of the home secretary's decision to deny Mr McKinnon, of Palmers Green, a UK trial.

Speaking at the time, the 46-year-old's solicitor Karen Todner said she was "delighted", but said the numerous court battles since he committed the offences were taking a toll on his mental health.

The team will now fight Mr Johnson's ruling at the Royal Courts of Justice at a two-day hearing set for May 25 and May 26.

The Scottish-born Enfield resident has been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a type of autism, and has been described as suicidal by his mother Janis Sharp.

He was due to be extradited to the US on December 10, 2009, but was allowed to stay after lawyers submitted their legal challenge.

The former Haringey schoolboy has admitted breaching US military computers between 2001 and 2002, but said he was simply seeking UFO evidence.