EXPERTS in Asperger's Syndrome and autism will assess hacker Gary McKinnon before the Home Secretary decides whether to extradite him to the US for cyber crimes.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire, a government whip, told the House of Lords yesterday the 45-year-old will be assessed by medical experts before a final decision is made.

Mr McKinnon is wanted in the US for hacking into classified databases from his former home in Crouch End in 2001, and allegedly causing thousands of dollars of damage.

Home Secretary Theresa May is currently reviewing the case for extradition and is seeking fresh medical assessment.

Baroness Browning told Lords yesterday: “When I met Mr McKinnon’s mother last week, she informed me that his state of health deteriorates all the time.

“I hope that my noble friend will be concerned to learn that Mr McKinnon spends every day behind closed curtains not participating in life as he used to.

“When the Chief Medical Officer chooses an appropriate psychiatrist or a panel, it is absolutely essential that the psychiatrist is someone who specialises in adults with an autistic spectrum disorder.”

Responding to newly released evidence that Mr McKinnon's family have a history of mental problems, Lord Wallace said: “This evidence has now been presented and we are hoping that there can very soon be an examination by expert witnesses - and they will be expert witnesses - who can provide the basis on which the Home Secretary and others can take a judgment.”

He stressed the whole case rested around whether extradition would be a breach of Mr McKinnon's human rights, but said the Palmers Green resident had not yet consented to being examined by the newly appointed experts.