Tony Blair steps in

[Guest Kev]

ABOUT f***ING TIME AN ALL.

 

Liverpool Echo

 

TONY Blair today sensationally backed Michael Shields's fight for justice.

 

The prime minister offered his full support for the jailed 19-year-old Liverpool student, as he plans to appeal to the European court of human rights.

 

Aides in Westminster said it reflected Mr Blair's "deep concern" that the 19-year-old's conviction was unsafe.

 

Mr Blair told the ECHO: "I understand why the plight of Michael Shields is causing such concern.

"I can promise that the government will continue to take a very close interest in this case, and will support Michael's family in any way we can."

 

The Reds fan was convicted of attempted murder and jailed for 15 years in Bulgaria last summer - but now the Bulgarian supreme court has reduced the sentence to 10 years and ordered him to pay £70,000 fines and compensation.

 

He could also complete his sentence in aBritish jail, but his family feared any move would hinder an appeal to the European court.

 

But Europe minister Geoff Hoon - who is making aformal applicationtothe Bulgarian authorities to move Michael to Britain - says it will not affect any appeal to the European court.

 

His father Michael Snr, 46, said: "This is fantastic news. I'm ecstatic the prime minister has put his weight behind Mike.

 

"He can obviously see the same as we can that this whole case is flawed."

[vish]

Theres a big difference between 'understanding' and actually DOING something.

[RP]

Good news.

[smicer07]

He's been supporting Shields since the very start of this, it's just the first time he has spoken to a local media source about it.

[Senrab_nhoj]

And with Bulgaria's position with entry into the EU the timing of this is not by chance I feel

[5InIstanbul]

Theres a big difference between 'understanding' and actually DOING something.

FFS, it's quite something for a PM to come out and say something like this. Give the bloke a break for christ sake.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Bulgaria's attempts to get into the EU have been put back, will this affect Michael's case ?

[Guest Kev]

Bulgaria's attempts to get into the EU have been put back, will this affect Michael's case ?

 

I've got a feeling the Michael will be used as a pawn in a massive game of politics.

[Sara]

It's about time the government stepped in. This can only be good news.

 

 

Bulgaria are desperate to get into the EU as well.

[5InIstanbul]

I've got a feeling the Michael will be used as a pawn in a massive game of politics.

 

If it ends up with justice being applied correctly Kev, who gives a f*ck.

[Guest Ant]

Just about to post something then

 

Now act upon it Blair

[Kahnee]

Did Labour do particularly poorley in the local elections in Liverpool?

[vish]

FFS, it's quite something for a PM to come out and say something like this. Give the bloke a break for christ sake.

 

think he's had plenty of a break. Micheal hasn't tho has he?

[5InIstanbul]

think he's had plenty of a break. Micheal hasn't tho has he?

 

That's pathetic. Grow up.

[Kahnee]

That's pathetic. Grow up.

 

Vish has a point. Not like this only happened last week. Blair's had over a year to pull his finger out. I'm grateful, don't get me wrong, but last May/June might have been nicer.

[5InIstanbul]

No he doesn't.

 

A country has to be allowed to complete it's judicial process before our country gets involved at a policitcal level.

 

You can't be seriously suggesting that at the start of the process we wade in threatening all sorts if the lad is found guilty and applying pressure to what is supposed to be a civilised society.

 

As much as we don't like it, the process has to run its course. It has now done so and so he is stepping in and expressing his view.

 

I'm sorry if I'm not appealing to the masses here but when a government steps in then this is big boys s***, not playground squabbles.

Edited May 18, 2006 by GEH007

[wacko]

I've got a feeling the Michael will be used as a pawn in a massive game of politics.

Believe me, they'd probably release Adolf Hitler if it meant their getting into the EU. It's absolutely fantastic news for Michael. There's no way they can get into the EU without British agreement, and the slightest hint that we may object on these grounds will likely have the Bulgarian Prime Minister unlocking Michael's cell himself. One of the largest obstacles to Turkey's entry is the fact that the police and justice system are only marginally fairer than a Juve game. Like Turkey, Bulgaria is desperate to join, and they'll do virtually anything to get into to the club.

 

It will happen quietly behind closed doors, but I'm pretty sure that the British government will demand (if they haven't already) that Bulgaria show that Michael was tried fairly or release him. That Blair himself has spoken of it shows that Michael's case has reached the highest level possible.

[Guest Kev]

If it ends up with justice being applied correctly Kev, who gives a f*ck.

 

I'm with you on that, I typed in the present tense rather than the past.

 

I've just got a feeling that Bulgaria have cleverly moulded Michael's situation to their own means, ie getting into the EU.

[Frosty Jack]

It's about time the government stepped in. This can only be good news.

Bulgaria are desperate to get into the EU as well.

 

This really should have no bearing on that

[matty]

No he doesn't.

 

A country has to be allowed to complete it's judicial process before our country gets involved at a policitcal level.

 

You can't be seriously suggesting that at the start of the process we wade in threatening all sorts if the lad is found guilty and applying pressure to what is supposed to be a civilised society.

 

As much as we don't like it, the process has to run its course. It has now done so and so he is stepping in and expressing his view.

 

I'm sorry if I'm not appealing to the masses here but when a government steps in then this is big boys s***, not playground squabbles.

 

Absolutely correct. Very well put.

[Guest Scot]

You'd need to be mad to think this has the least thing to do with Bulgaria's EU application

[Guest Makaveli Smith]

I've got a feeling the Michael will be used as a pawn in a massive game of politics.

 

oh yes , of course he will be but i seriously doubt he'll care. Simply because it was Blaire who brought it up, he's decided to use the 'card' and he's not going to bury himself . So expect something good to come of this.

[Murphman]

This is a massive issue for most Liverpool fans but means very little to the rest of the country who probably think he's guilty anyway. I don't see Blair getting anything but a pat on the back for this.

 

He's still a c*nt mind.

[wacko]

You'd need to be mad to think this has the least thing to do with Bulgaria's EU application

Of course it does. They must be seen to be adhering to the principles the EU holds dear. If they are not, they won't get in. Their membership hardly hinges on it, but now Blair has personally called attention to the case, they absolutely must do the right thing.