The case of Palmers Green computer hacker Gary McKinnon is returning to the High Court this morning.

Judges are expected to give directions for a hearing due to take place later this month in the latest phase of his marathon legal battle against extradition to the United States.

Mr McKinnon, 46, who suffers from Asperger's syndrome, is wanted by US prosecutors for hacking into sensitive Government and military databases between 2001 and 2002. He claims he was looking for information on UFOs.

His supporters have long argued he should face justice in the UK, and extradition to America would be a breach of his human rights, given his health condition.

In January, the High Court expressed concern over how long the case was taking to return to court, with two judges listing it for a hearing later this month in a bid to speed matters up.

Critics claim the extradition arrangement with the US is one-sided and favours the US, but an independent review by former Court of Appeal judge Sir Scott Baker last year found it was both balanced and fair.

In February, Mr McKinnon’s mother, Janis Sharp, joined Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes and other campaigners to hand poems written by supporters to Downing Street.