clipped from: www.guardian.co.uk Justice secretary declines appeal by man jailed in Bulgaria for attempted murder of barman
The justice secretary, Jack Straw, today turned down an appeal for a pardon by Michael Shields, the Liverpool football fan who was jailed in Bulgaria for the attempted murder of a barman.
A statement issued by the ministry of justice said: "Following a detailed and careful consideration of all the relevant evidence the justice secretary, Jack Straw, has made a provisional decision that the application for a free pardon from Mr Michael Shields should be refused."
The ministry said Straw made his decision in accordance with a high court judgment in 2008 which indicated that, in order to grant a free pardon, he would have to be satisfied that Shields was "morally and technically innocent".
Shields' father, Michael snr, reacted angrily to the news.