The mother of jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields has travelled to Downing Street in London to seek the support of the prime minister's wife in a bid to secure her son's release, the BBC reported on November 26.

Shields, 22, is currently serving a 10-year sentence for attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria in 2005, but he has always maintained his innocence. He was transferred back to the UK in 2006.

Marie Shields met with Sarah Brown and handed her a letter about her son's case. A judicial review of Shields' conviction will be held on December 4. After the meeting, Mrs Shields said that Mrs Brown had been attentive. "She sat there and listened to what I had to say about Michael. She said 'as a family, you have our support', and she will be reading the letter and will let Jack Straw know that we have met."

Shields was granted a review before senior High Court Judge at a hearing in London after Justice Secretary Jack Straw refused to issue a pardon on his conviction. The review will challenge his ruling regarding "the power to grant a pardon to repatriated prisoners wrongly convicted in a foreign jurisdiction".

Shields has attracted high profile support in his bid to win freedom. Liverpool legends Kenny Dalglish and Jamie Carragher have sent messages of support. The two stars signed memorabilia which will be presented to Shields by the city's Lord Mayor Steve Rotheram. Carragher inscribed a copy of his autobiography with the message: "To Michael, you'll never walk alone." Former player and manager Dalglish signed a teamsheet with the words: "Keep your spirits up, you will be home to see the Reds (Liverpool) win the title."

The clergy has also lent support to the Shields case. At a news conference, held in conjunction with Mrs Shields meeting at Downing Street, the Bishop of Liverpool called the case a "travesty of justice". The Right Reverend James Jones said the failure to deal with the Shields case was "nothing short of a scandal". He added: "I have talked and listened to Michael on a number of occasions and I too believe that he is innocent."