I have mixed feelings about this. The guy was clearly innocent and I'm always delighted to see any innocent person freed (there are millions of others, including me) but I do find it a very strange situation where a foreign judicial system can be so swiftly and radically overturned by one person - and a politician at that.

So will Straw now be heading off to Vietnam to investigate the News of the World role in Gary Glitter's conviction?

Or might he consider that not as wise according to the tabloid agenda?

Again justice comes within a year of a political party facing an election,and of course the grateful will no doubt vote accordingly.

Glitter and the failing NOTW,I somehow think the lack of voter appeal will Deter a visit from Jack,it'd be the 'last Straw'

very good posts JK and IA.

nothng to add, just wanted to agree

My personal view...

Dear Mr Lord God Almighty Straw

I have solid, cast iron, proven fresh evidence, never considered by any court, that I was in America when one of my conviction crimes was meant to have taken place in London.

I have a witness prepared to swear in court that another man in my wrongful convictions has admitted to a friend that he lied about my guilt. This fresh evidence has also never been considered by a court.

Can you please pardon me?

Jonathan King

JK2006 wrote:
My personal view...

Dear Mr Lord God Almighty Straw

I have solid, cast iron, proven fresh evidence, never considered by any court, that I was in America when one of my conviction crimes was meant to have taken place in London.

I have a witness prepared to swear in court that another man in my wrongful convictions has admitted to a friend that he lied about my guilt. This fresh evidence has also never been considered by a court.

Can you please pardon me?

Jonathan King

can't see that being a vote winner somehow JK

you are spot on especially about GG's conviction in Asia.

I had an on-going email barney with a fragrant tabloid hackette about his conviction in which she accused me of racism when I stated that in most Asian countries bribery is rife.

(and I speak from personal experience. When I drive from Bangkok to Pattaya in Thailand I'm always accompanied by a Thai pal who is an undercover drug cop. We are routinely stopped at unoffical police roadblocks where foreign drivers are "fined' about 2 pounds for nothing-he always flashes his badge and we are waved through..I personally don't care..the cops are paid so little I'm happy to help out with a donation).

In my efforts to actually convince this hackette (The Daily Mail )that bribery was just a normal part of life and aknowleging it wasn't racism-how then did she justify the very normal situation where GG was able to pay a certain sum to his accusers in exchange lesser charges-quite legal in Vietnam (to avoid the death penalty) which basically amounts to a form of blackmail..and did this not show that in many Asian countries the concept of law is alien to British law and couldn't be relied upon ?.

Her final word was that "pedos" would find comfort in my words.
As usual-point out their flaws and the gutless wonders that now pass as journalists just turn to insults.

Two points; this entire fiasco shows up all the global judicial systems but my friend Bob says - never accept a pardon if you're innocent; a pardon cannot be right.

Secondly - prison has been very good for him; he went in as a plump, gormless, scowly blob and has emerged as a very dishy 22 year old!

There has been evidence to prove loads of people innocent - not least Sion Jenkins - JK - The Libyan Bomber.....

But Jack Straw never pardons any of them.

Jack Straw is a very horrible man - full of crap. The sooner this country is rid of him the better. He is the most dishonest politician left in Parliament ( and seeing as 90% of them are liars that is saying something )

Silly arrest in the first place. Not even worthy of news coverage.

and poor Michael did far longer in prison than I did for crimes I did not commit either.

What a screwed up world we are living in.
Meanwhile the real criminals (like the killer of Milly Dowler) remain at liberty to do it again.