23 March 2000 Edition
North England Hamill campaign
A north of England campaign is being launched to obtain justice for Robert Hamill, kicked to death in Portadown in 1997 by a loyalist mob within full view of four armed RUC men.
``There is already a national Robert Hamill campaign based in London and we are now seeking to gain public support in the north of England for a full independent judicial inquiry into Robert's death,'' says Gerry Kelly, a student at Sheffield's Hallam University, who, like Hamill comes from Portadown.
About 50 MPs have signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion from Labour MP Kevin McNamara calling for an independent inquiry. The Hamill family is also considering taking out a private prosecution in an attempt to bring his killers to justice.
Among those backing the campaign are Liberal MP Lembit Opik, journalists Paul Foot and John Pilger, and Imran Khan, lawyer for the Stephen Lawrence family.
``There is already a national Robert Hamill campaign based in London and we are now seeking to gain public support in the north of England for a full independent judicial inquiry into Robert's death,'' says Gerry Kelly, a student at Sheffield's Hallam University, who, like Hamill comes from Portadown.
About 50 MPs have signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion from Labour MP Kevin McNamara calling for an independent inquiry. The Hamill family is also considering taking out a private prosecution in an attempt to bring his killers to justice.
Among those backing the campaign are Liberal MP Lembit Opik, journalists Paul Foot and John Pilger, and Imran Khan, lawyer for the Stephen Lawrence family.