Campaigners celebrate football fan's release

Supporters of Michael Shields were jubilant at today's news of his pardon and release.

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, said: "I have always believed in Michael's innocence.

"I am so happy for him. I saw him a few weeks ago and was impressed by how he has coped.

"He and his family have been through a terrible ordeal. I hold them in my prayers as they rebuild their lives.

"I commend the Justice Secretary for giving this case such close personal attention."

Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, who has been campaigning for her constituent Shields's release ever since his conviction, said: "I am overjoyed at Jack Straw's decision.

"Michael has suffered a gross miscarriage of justice, incarcerated for four years for a crime he did not commit and for which another man has confessed.

"I pay tribute to Michael's family and the people of Liverpool for their remarkable courage and persistence."

Mrs Ellman added: "Jack Straw has brought justice to an innocent young man. This is a day for celebration."

Euro MP Arlene McCarthy, who was also part of the Shields' campaign, said: "Finally after over four years of fighting and numerous setbacks Michael is free. It is fantastic news and I now hope that Michael can start to rebuild his life.

"The Bulgarian authorities' failure to accept their democratic responsibilities to right a terrible wrong has meant that we have been left with no option but to put pressure on our own Government and on Jack Straw personally to do the right thing and free Michael."

Fair Trials International, which campaigned for Shields' release, said they were delighted by the decision.

Chief executive Jago Russell said: "Since attending his trial in Bulgaria in 2005 we have known that Michael's conviction was unsafe.

"Not only was the police investigation seriously flawed but key evidence was also ignored.

"We are delighted that justice has finally been done and that today Michael is able to return home to his family."

Liverpool City Council leader Warren Bradley said: "I welcome the decision of the Justice Secretary to grant Michael Shields a pardon, and facilitate his release from prison.

"It is a victory for common sense.

"It is a great pity that Jack Straw didn't do this four weeks ago, despite being provided with the evidence to release Michael.

"He prolonged the period of incarceration and the agony Michael, his family and supporters must clearly have felt.

"Michael must now receive the appropriate support which will enable him to begin to rebuild his life following the nightmare situation he needlessly found himself in. I will work alongside opposition leader councillor Joe Anderson to assist him in finding new opportunities.

"On a personal note I would like to pay tribute to the Michael's family, his legal team, councillor Anderson and all the supporters who have campaigned on behalf of Michael.

"They have conducted themselves with dignity at a time when they must have been frustrated and deeply concerned for Michael's wellbeing."

In a statement, Liverpool FC said: "It is great news that Michael has been granted a pardon by the Justice Secretary Jack Straw.

"We know how difficult the last four years have been for Michael and his family and everyone at the club, the staff, the players and the fans have tried to support them during this time.

"We hope now that Michael and his family will be able to move on with their lives and look to the future."

Shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said: "We welcome this decision, given the widespread doubts about the safety of the conviction."

But he said he had doubts about Mr Straw's suggestion that the power to pardon should be removed from the Justice Secretary.

"We would take some convincing that the power of pardon or clemency should be removed from the Justice Secretary and given to the courts," he said.

"Ultimately, these are predominantly moral and political rather than judicial decisions.

"As we have seen in this case, and that of Megrahi (the Lockerbie bomber), the Government needs to be accountable to Parliament and the public for such decisions."