New 'evidence' over Shields case

The 21-year-old was moved to an adult prison last month

The MP for Liverpool's Riverside claims to have dramatic new evidence which casts doubt on the conviction of jailed football fan Michael Shields.

The 21-year-old is currently serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria in 2005.

Louise Ellman said in a parliamentary debate that she had a new witness statement that claimed two other people were responsible for the attack.

Ms Ellman called for a judicial investigation into the case.

Michael Shields was moved to a UK prison from Bulgaria last year.

The witness statement named Steven Clare and Graham Sankey as the attackers.

A large rock or paving slab was dropped on the head of barman Martin Georgiev on the night of Liverpool's Champions League victory in Istanbul in May 2005.

Both men made it clear that Michael Shields was not present at the scene Witness statement

The Labour MP said: "On October 12, a respected citizen of Liverpool signed a witness statement.

"This reports that Bradley Thomson and Anthony Wilson, both present at the scene of the crime and found guilty of lesser offences, claim that two men were responsible for the attack on Martin Georgiev.

"According to the statement, they allege that Steven Clare had punched Martin Georgiev and that, 'Shortly afterwards Graham Sankey dropped a large rock on his head as he lay prone on the ground'.

"The statement continues: 'Both men made it clear that Michael Shields was not present at the scene and that neither of them knew him'."

'Judicial investigation'

Mr Sankey issued a "confession" through his solicitor after Shields had been convicted but then withdrew it.

Ms Ellman said: "Surely these allegations must be subject to judicial investigation. I will not rest until justice has been done."

Justice Minister David Hanson said he did not want to give false hope by saying the British Government could grant a pardon for Shields when he was not sure that was the case.

Mr Hanson added that a decision on whether to support Shields' application for a pardon in Bulgaria rests with Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

"Both he and his officials are aware of Michael's application to the Bulgarian authorities and they are awaiting further information," he said.