What is it going to take?
High Court judges ruled in December 2008 that Justice Secretary Jack Straw has the power to issue a pardon.
Jack Straw said
"In the light of the criteria that the court set out, I am today establishing a process under which I will examine the case to the extent that the court has indicated that I am able to do.
"I will ensure that the process is undertaken as quickly as possible, and can assure Michael Shields I will reach a decision on whether to recommend granting a pardon as swiftly as possible."
Jack Straw promised to speed through an evidence review before finally deciding whether to free Michael, but now the case has been passed on to the Merseyside Police to Investigate and have answers for Mr Straw in May 2009.
We are sure that Merseyside Police will do all they can to Investigate Michael's case with true commitment but why after all this time has it only got to this point now?.
All the evidence Michael's lawyers have were passed to Jack Straw at least 2 years ago and all the new evidence that has come to light since has also been passed on.
Michael himself heard about this decision on the radio in Prison and his parents, lawyers and Campaign leader Joe Anderson did not know about this until later also. It was released on the radio and websites before any of the campaign office were aware.
So why after all this time has it been passed on to the police?
Why was none of the Family or Lawyers informed of the decision?
Well to be honest. We don't know.
Now Michael has to wait even longer for a decision.
More to follow
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Dad of two witnessed the attack in Bulgaria
The man who witnessed the attack which Michael was jailed for, today vowed: I will tell police it wasnt him.
New evidence includes witness statements not considered by the Bulgarian court and could also mean re-examining the alleged involvement of other Liverpool men in the attack on the Bulgarian waiter which saw Michael convicted of attempted murder in 2005.
The man, who has already signed a sworn witness statement which has been submitted to Jack Straw, befriended attack victim Martin Georgiev during his holiday and did not know or the person he saw carry out the attack that left Mr Georgiev fighting for his life.
He said: "I have said before that Id fly to Bulgaria to give evidence if they asked me. I cant believe Michael Shields is still in prison.
"There is not a day goes by that it doesnt bother me.
"Its so frustrating to see how the justice system didnt work in Bulgaria and hasnt worked back here either. The lad has done nothing wrong.
"I wish my original statement had more effect, but I hope our own police do interview me and the other witnesses and get the real version of events."
City Labour leader Joe Anderson, who has led the campaign to free Michael, believes he will also be interviewed about a sworn statement he made based on a discussion with two witnesses to the attack, Anthony Wilson and Bradley Thompson, who said Michael Shields was not the culprit.
The statement was read out in Parliament by MP Louise Ellman.
He said: "I asked Jack Straw to get our police to investigate this a long time ago, and it is unacceptable that he has only done it now.
"He has had the dossier of evidence which underlines this miscarriage of justice for 18 months. The very least he can do now is release Michael on licence, or with an ankle tag, while this inquiry goes on."
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High Court judges say - You CAN let him go Jack
and
Jack Straw promises speedy review
Jack Straw has promised to speed through an evidence review before finally deciding whether to free Michael Shields.
But Michael's family revealed today they were dismayed after the Justice Secretary, who lost a high court ruling, said Michael is still likely to spend a fourth Christmas in prison.
Michael's parents Michael Snr and Maria had hoped London's Royal Court of Justice ruling that Mr Straw does have the power to free Michael, would mean him being released soon.
In a meeting with leading campaigners including Riverside MP Louise Ellman and Merseyside Euro-MP Arlene McCarthy, Jack Straw said he needs to consider legal criteria and the full implications of any pardon.
They now face yet another anxious wait while top government barristers examine the fresh evidence in Michael's case which the Bulgarian courts refused to consider, along with evidence from the original trial.
The landmark decision was announced by London's Royal Court of Justice following a hearing on December 4.
It is understood that the Justice Secretary will not appeal the decision made by the court, and will now start the process for a review of the case.
In a full statement he said: "I have carefully considered the judgement of the high court and will not be appealing it.
"As the judgement make clear, the issue the court was considering was a purely legal one whether I had been correct in taking the view that I had no power to consider a pardon in this case, on the basis that only the Bulgarian authorities could reconsider the case.
"The court was not asked whether or not Michael Shields was innocent or guilty and it does not come to a view on that, nor does it order a grant of a pardon.
"Rather, the court concluded that it is open to me to entertain a request to exercise the Royal Prerogative.
"In the light of the criteria that the court set out, I am today establishing a process under which I will examine the case to the extent that the court has indicated that I am able to do.
"I will ensure that the process is undertaken as quickly as possible, and can assure Michael Shields I will reach a decision on whether to recommend granting a pardon as swiftly as possible."
Mrs Ellman said: "This is a major breakthrough and the shocking miscarriage of justice committed in a Bulgaria can now be put right in the UK."
It is an embarrassing twist for the justice secretary, who has repeatedly insisted he does not have the power pardon or free Michael.
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LFC show support for Michael
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Joy as Michael passes lie detector test with flying colours
The test was carried out at Garth Prison in Preston, where Michael is being held. Organised by his lawyers and backed by Liverpool’s Labour group leader, Cllr Joe Anderson, it is a further attempt to clear his name. Michael Shields snr said: “Michael has wanted to take this test from day one. I’m made up he passed with flying colours".
Home Office officials gave permission for the test at the request of Shields' lawyers. The tests were carried out by British Polygraphers’ Association examiner Don Cargill, who carries out tests for Channel Five's Trisha Goddard show. Michael's heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and breathing were monitored as he was questioned and different readings taken based on his responses.
He was asked key questions relating to the attack on Bulgarian waiter Martin Georgiev, which led to Michael's jailing in the Black Sea resort of Varna. The attack happened following Liverpool’s Champions League win in Istanbul. Although the result would not be admissible in court in a retrial, campaigners believe it strengthens Michael's claims.
Liverpool Riverside Labour MP Louise Ellman – who last month called for a judicial investigation into the case – said: “It adds weight to the argument that Michael’s conviction is unsafe.”
Cllr Anderson said he would use the results to try to secure Michael's release. He said: “This is a significant day for Michael and his family. In the professional opinion of the polygrapher who carried out the test, Michael never carried out any attack.
“That’s good enough for me and I hope it’s good enough for the Government to pardon and release him right away. I'm confident this young man is innocent and shouldn’t be in jail and I’ve said that for two and a half years.”
The results will form part of a dossier that he, Ms Ellman and the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, plan to present to foreign secretary David Miliband and justice secretary Jack Straw this month.
During the two-hour test Mr Cargill asked Michael three major questions:
Q. WERE you the person who hit Martin Georgiev on the head with a brick outside the Big Ben restaurant on May 30 2005?
A. No. Verdict: He was telling the truth.
Q. WERE you involved in any way in the assault on Mr Georgiev before he was hit on the head with a brick?
A. No. Verdict: He was telling the truth.
Q. WERE you at the scene of the assault on Mr Georgiev outside the Big Ben restaurant?
A. No. Verdict: He was telling the truth.
Mr Cargill, also MD of the largest privately owned Polygraph company in the UK, Nadac, added: “Michael came across as a nice young man. Remarkably he was not angry or bitter despite the situation he has found himself in.
“I hope the results of the test are a boost for his parents and the people fighting to free him.”
Michael’s father, Michael Shields snr, said: “Michael has wanted to take this test from day one. I’m made up he passed with flying colours.”
Please accept our apology for the lack of updates lately on the website, we promise that the site will be updated as soon as we hear any news
so please keep checking.
You can also visit Michael's Myspace Page on the link below.
Can we please just THANK YOU ALL again for you support that is still growing.
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More Information will be available on the site as and when we get it. Please keep checking and supporting Michael
The Michael Shields Campaign.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
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A Message from The Shields Family
"On behalf of Michael, we his family would like to thank everyone from near and far who have shown both a fantastic level of support and an unwavering belief in our son's innocence. We would like to ask you to take a few moments to do whatever you can to help us in our quest for justice. Whether this be writing a letter to the Prime Minister, or your local MP, by signing the petition or anything else you feel may help. All your efforts are very much appreciated. We'd also like to thank everybody for their extraordinary generosity in donating money to assist with our expenses. We are very touched at the kindness of friends and strangers alike. With your help, we are sure that justice will prevail and that our innocent son will soon be back home where he belongs.
Thank you all and God Bless,"
The Shields Family
