The case against a computer hacker who faced extradition to the US on charges of breaking in to sensitive military computers has been adjourned.

New Home Secretary Theresa May gave Gary McKinnon a glimmer of hope earlier yesterday when she agreed his case should be delayed.

Mr McKinnon's lawyers have fought a long-running series of court battles, and this was expected to be his last-ditch bid to avoid extradition. Mr McKinnon's legal team had been due at the High Court next Tuesday for a judicial review, where a judge was expected to decide if their latest challenge should go to a full hearing.

A Home Office spokesman said yesterday: “The Home Secretary considered the proposal from Gary McKinnon's legal team and agreed an adjournment should be sought. An application was sent to the court today. The High Court has confirmed it has granted an adjournment.”

His lawyer Karen Todner earlier said the Home Secretary was examining medical evidence supporting their case against extradition.

Mr McKinnon was accused in 2002 in the wake of September 11 of using his computer to hack into 97 American military and Nasa computers, causing damage the US government claims will cost more than $700,000 (£425,000) to repair.