Conlon death highlights miscarriages of justice

The untimely death of Gerry Conlon, who was wrongly convicted for the Guildford pub bombings, reminds us how important it is that we allow politicians to make representations on behalf of prisoners, be they guilty or not.

I am reminded of the role of former British labour MP, Chris Mullen, who did such outstanding work for the Guildford Four and Birmingham Six, and who brought international attention to these cases. One should never forget the comment of Lord Denning, in summing up in the appeal of the Birmingham Six, when he said that if what the appellants were saying was true it “would be an appalling vista”, and the rest is history.

While some people do not like what campaigners do for prisoners, it is right and it is their duty to continue this work.