A computer hacker wanted by American authorities could face trial in the UK, following the US president's pledge to review an extradition treaty between the two countries.

President Barack Obama agreed to top-level talks about the treaty with Prime Minister David Cameron, who raised the case of Gary McKinnon during his visit to the White House, this week.

Mr McKinnon, 46, from Palmers Green, 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 that he should face justice in the UK, and extradition to America with his health as it is would be a breach of his human rights.

Mr Cameron said he recognised public concerns about the treaty, adding: “I raised this issue with President Obama today and we had a good discussion. We will be following this up with further talks between our teams.

“We have carried out an independent review of the treaty which found that it was balanced, but I recognise there are concerns about how it's implemented in practice and that's what our teams will look at.”

American officials have long demanded that Mr McKinnon is tried in the US, despite expert opinions warning that his mental condition could lead him to commit suicide.

Last month his mother, Janis Sharp, joined Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes and other campaigners to hand poems written by supporters to Downing Street.

Mr Burrowes said he was “delighted” that Mr Cameron had raised the case.

He added: “Amid all the issues demanding attention, it is gratifying that Gary’s plight was given a priority. The Prime Minister’s wish for more extradition cases to be prosecuted in Britain chimes with the consistent demand for justice for Gary.

“Gary has never sought to flee from justice in British courts. I am increasingly hopeful that we may be seeing light at the end of the long tunnel for Gary.

“We also need to make sure other British citizens do not have to go through the same nightmare and I am pleased the Prime Minister’s comments point the way to urgently reform our extradition laws.”