MP's pardon plea for jailed fan

Michael Shields has always maintained his innocence

An MP supporting a pardon for a jailed Liverpool fan wants Justice Secretary Jack Straw to "put right" what she says is a "shocking miscarriage of justice".

Liverpool Riverside MP Louise Ellman is supporting a campaign to free Michael Shields, 22, who is serving a 10-year sentence for attempted murder.

He was convicted of attacking a barman after Liverpool's Champions League win in 2005, but maintains his innocence.

Ms Ellman spoke in a debate in Parliament.

Shields, from Edge Hill, said he was in bed when the attack took place in Bulgaria.

The Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, turned down the latest appeal to release Shields and issue him with a pardon.

'Open mind'

Mr Straw told MPs that he was aware of the "great anger" at his provisional decision, made earlier this month.

He said that he does his best in these cases to apply himself to the evidence and "...simply as a human being it would have been easier all round for me if I had been able to come to the alternative conclusion".

He insisted he had an "open mind" as he approached his final decision, and was ready to examine any further evidence submitted to him.

Mr Straw was responding to a debate in the alternative debating chamber of Westminster Hall, called by Ms Ellman.

She called on the Justice Secretary to "put right this shocking miscarriage of justice".

Ms Ellman was supported by fellow Merseyside MPs, the former Labour Ministers, Jane Kennedy and George Howarth.

Shields' campaign team have 28 days to make representations and challenge the decision.