Liverpool Labour Euro MP, Arlene McCarthy described Jack Straw's decison to keep Michael Shields behind bars as a "blatant miscarriage of justice".
Mrs McCarthy said: "I'm profoundly disappointed and dismayed at the decision for both Michael
and the family.
"We were all hoping that we would today see as end to this blatant miscarriage of justice.
"I'm surprised at this decision as it was clear from the High Court judgement that there was no basis for the conviction in Bulgaria and the Court Judgement said that the Bulgarian evidence would have been very carefully scrutinised in this country.
"Michael's Campaign team believe that he is morally and technically innocent.
"Someone else has confessed to the crime; the Bulgarians' admission that the conviction was doubtful; numerous evidence that Michael was not at the scene of the crime; the discredited identification evidence and Michael having passed a polygraph test.
"This is by no means the end of the line. It's a provisional decision and we will now be submitting an appeal to Jack Straw. As long as Michael remains in jail I will keep fighting for justice. He does not deserve to be in jail for a crime he did not commit"
Mrs McCarthy added: "As Michael's Euro MP I have campaigned for the last four years for the Bulgarian authorities to recognise and rectify this blatant miscarriage of justice but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
"The Bulgarian's failure to accept their democratic responsibilities to right a terrible wrong has to be challenged by the UK government.
"The Petition we submitted to the European Parliament about Michael's case is still open and I will now be asking the European Parliament to ensure that the Bulgarian's live up to their responsibilities under the European Treaty and see that justice is served.
"Michael has already lost four years of his life. We had hoped today's result would mean he could be reunited with his family, but we will not be beaten, Michael has a strong and committed team of supporters and we will continue to campaign for his release."
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