Another year inside?

Unless there is a government U-turn - and for this Straw has indicated that he would need further compelling evidence - his decision means that Shields will not now be released until his sentence is completed in May 2010.

Shields is currently serving his sentence at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute, in Appleton Thorn, Warrington, where he was informed of Straw’s decision by letter.
Shields’ lawyer John Weate reacted to Straw’s July 2 decision by insisting that all was not lost for his client. Speaking at the time of Straw’s ruling, he said: "Apparently we have a further 28 days to make representations. To get a pardon you have to get a higher degree of certainty and I think that’s what they’re talking about. But Jack Straw is hiding behind it."

Liverpool City Labour leader, councillor Joe Anderson, who has led the campaign to free Shields, was more forthcoming in criticising Straw: "This is outrageous. How Straw can even use the word justice in his cabinet title is scandalous. He is not fit to be called the justice minister. The decision is an insult to everyone who believes in justice and the rights of the individual. The government are officially keeping an innocent man in prison. It’s an absolute disgrace."

Meanwhile, the Liverpool Echo, the newspaper that has steadfastly supported Shields throughout his incarceration and is no relation to The Sofia Echo, appealed to Sankey to come forward and admit his alleged responsibility for the attack on Georgiev. "Do you want to keep waking up in a sweat knowing that you’ve put a young man, who had never been inside a police station in his life, through this agony?" wrote Brian Reade in the paper, addressing himself to Sankey.

In Liverpool’s latest show of solidarity with Shields, more than 100 taxi drivers drove past the family home to show their support. His parents and other family members stood outside their Edge Hill home as the cavalcade of black cabs drove past. The taxi drivers’ backing for Shields follows messages of solidarity in the past from Liverpool football team and home-grown stars such as actress Sue Johnston.