Justice secretary Jack Straw refuses pardon for Michael Shields
In a decision on July 2 that shocked supporters of Michael Shields, the Liverpool football fan jailed in Bulgaria for the attempted murder of barman Martin Georgiev, UK justice secretary Jack Straw has provisionally ruled out granting a pardon to Shields.
Unless there is a government U-turn - and for this Straw has indicated that he would need further compelling evidence - it 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.
Straw's ruling will shock those who have persistently argued that Shields has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. A number of high-profiles figures, including Liverpool footballers, politicians and clergymen have all shown their support for Shields over the years.
Shields was convicted in Bulgaria in July 2005 of smashing a rock over Georgiev's head during a street brawl in the resort of Golden Sands. He was later transferred back to a British prison to finish his 10-year sentence. Another Liverpool man, Graham Sankey, admitted carrying out the attack, although he later withdrew his confession.
In December, the High Court ruled that Straw had the "power and jurisdiction" to exercise the ancient "royal prerogative of mercy" to pardon Shields. Straw said that in order to pardon Shields he had to be satisfied that the Liverpool fan was "morally and technically innocent".
"This is a very high test and the Justice Secretary has provisionally concluded that on the evidence he currently has, that test is not met," the ministry of justice said in a statement. "The Justice Secretary recognises, of course, that many will be disappointed by his decision. But in exercising this quasi-judicial function, he has adopted the approach that the Court expected him to adopt."
The statement said Straw would take further representations from Shields before making a final decision.
Shields' lawyer John Weate had previously argued that the case was "perhaps the most shocking miscarriage of justice in recent times". Weate reacted to Straw's July 2 decision by insisting that all was not lost for his client. "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 Jack 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."
Shields' father, Michael senior, said: "I just cannot believe the way he (Straw) has done this. They sent the letter straight to Michael alone in jail and not to his lawyer. Michael's just absolutely distraught."
Straw's decision came the day after he made another controversial decision, opting not to pardon 79-year-old Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs.
Unless there is a government U-turn - and for this Straw has indicated that he would need further compelling evidence - it 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.
Straw's ruling will shock those who have persistently argued that Shields has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. A number of high-profiles figures, including Liverpool footballers, politicians and clergymen have all shown their support for Shields over the years.
Shields was convicted in Bulgaria in July 2005 of smashing a rock over Georgiev's head during a street brawl in the resort of Golden Sands. He was later transferred back to a British prison to finish his 10-year sentence. Another Liverpool man, Graham Sankey, admitted carrying out the attack, although he later withdrew his confession.
In December, the High Court ruled that Straw had the "power and jurisdiction" to exercise the ancient "royal prerogative of mercy" to pardon Shields. Straw said that in order to pardon Shields he had to be satisfied that the Liverpool fan was "morally and technically innocent".
"This is a very high test and the Justice Secretary has provisionally concluded that on the evidence he currently has, that test is not met," the ministry of justice said in a statement. "The Justice Secretary recognises, of course, that many will be disappointed by his decision. But in exercising this quasi-judicial function, he has adopted the approach that the Court expected him to adopt."
The statement said Straw would take further representations from Shields before making a final decision.
Shields' lawyer John Weate had previously argued that the case was "perhaps the most shocking miscarriage of justice in recent times". Weate reacted to Straw's July 2 decision by insisting that all was not lost for his client. "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 Jack 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."
Shields' father, Michael senior, said: "I just cannot believe the way he (Straw) has done this. They sent the letter straight to Michael alone in jail and not to his lawyer. Michael's just absolutely distraught."
Straw's decision came the day after he made another controversial decision, opting not to pardon 79-year-old Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs.