The father of Michael Shields, jailed for 15 years for a violent attack in Bulgaria, could stand against Justice Secretary Jack Straw in the next election.

Campaigners say Shields, 22, was the victim of a miscarriage of justice after his conviction for an attack on Bulgarian bartender Martin Georgiev. Now, according to the British press, his father, also Michael, is considering standing for the Blackburn seat to protest after the Justice Secretary indicated he would not pardon his son.

Shields was found guilty on the basis of eyewitness evidence of the attempted murder of Georgiev. The incident took place when Shields was part of a group of Liverpool supporters who visited Varna on their way back from the football team’s victory in a Champions League match in Istanbul in 2005.

According to various newspapers, including the Daily Mirror and the Liverpool Echo (no relation to The Sofia Echo) Michael's mother Maria could also stand against a junior minister in Liverpool.

A source, quoted by the Liverpool Echo, reveals: "It’s something that has been mentioned a number of times and Michael Snr in particular is strongly considering standing. No decision has been made either way but they are both understandably angry about how Jack Straw and the government have treated their son’s case."

The news precedes a face-to-face meeting between Straw and Michael’s parents in Blackburn, scheduled for August 28.

Straw's 8000 majority in Blackburn is now considered to be a marginal seat by most political commentators.