Shields fury over Lib Dem leaflet

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Michael Shields' parents have shown their support for Labour after the Liberal Democrats used their son as part of their election campaign.

Marie and Michael Shields Snr have sent letters, printed by the Labour Party, berating the Lib Dems for using their picture in a leaflet.

They said they did nothing for their son who was pardoned after being jailed for attempted murder in Bulgaria.

The Lib Dems said: "We never tried to claim for the campaign's success."

A leaflet, with a photograph of Marie and Michael Shields Snr, was sent by the Lib Dems to thousands of homes across Wavertree.

Mr Shields Snr said: "I wrote my own letter to residents across my constituency of Wavertree because I want the truth to be out there.

"The Liberal Democrat Party did nothing for my son and they have no right to hi-jack the campaign that we fought tirelessly for.

"In fact Liverpool City Council - which is led by the Liberal Democrats - sacked my wife when she was off with stress over Michael's imprisonment."

'From the heart'

The letters, which the Shields family and friends delivered to hundreds of homes across Wavertree on Sunday, state: "They [Liberal Democrats] should be ashamed of themselves.

"I am writing to you to tell you that the Lib Dems did nothing to help Michael.

"Boycott your vote for the Lib Dems - they don't deserve your vote and vote for Labour."

It was printed by the agent for Labour's Wavertree candidate, Luciana Berger. But Mr Shields wanted to make it clear that the words were his own and they were "from the heart".

"I do not want to get into a political fight," he added.

Michael Shields Jnr was freed in September 2009 after being incarcerated for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw issued the pardon after his family and friends fought for four years for his release.

Labour councillor Joe Anderson and Louise Ellman, former Labour MP for Riverside, were instrumental in the Shields' fight.

Michael Shields was serving a 10-year sentence

Colin Eldridge, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Wavertree, added: "It's very disappointing that Ms Berger's agent has chosen to publish this letter.

"The Labour Party have turned this issue into a political one.

"Colin Eldridge and Chris Huhne MP met with the Shields family to offer any help and support to the campaign.

"But at the suggestion of Colin Eldridge's office, there was no press or publicity for the visit.

"We have only ever said we supported the campaign and like everyone we were delighted when Michael was released."

Labour councillor Joe Anderson said: "The Shields family wanted to send these letters out because they felt so upset about being used as a political pawn.

"I have never tried to use the Shields campaign to create a political advantage - despite having helped lead the fight for his freedom."

Conservative candidate, Andrew Garnett, added: "It is a disgrace that a photograph should be used on a party campaign leaflet without the permission of those in it.

"We were also very pleased when Michael Shields was released and a lot of good work was done by his family and the local Labour Party."

Candidates so far:

• Wavertree: Luciana Berger: Labour; Colin Eldridge: Liberal Democrat; Andrew Garnett: Conservative; Rebecca Lawson: Green; Steven McEllenborough: British National Party; Neil Miney: UK Independence Party; Kim Singleton: Socialist Labour Party

• Riverside: Tom Crone: Green; Louise Ellman: Labour; Tony Hammond: UK Independence Party; Richard Marbrow: Liberal Democrat; Peter Stafford: British National Party; Phil Taylor: English Democrats; Kegang Wu: Conservative