MICHAEL HOWARD telephoned a Liverpool MP and asked him not to speak publicly about two drug smugglers freed early from jail, a court heard yesterday.

The then home secretary told Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle lives would be in danger if he gave a TV interview about John Haase and Paul Bennett’s release, Mr Kilfoyle told Southwark Crown Court.

He said he was so surprised he telephoned Jack Straw, then shadow home secretary, and a member of his own Labour Party.

That conversation and rumours about the men’s release led to Mr Kilfoyle obtaining a signed statement from Haase in prison in 2004, describing how he and Bennett planted fake guns and drugs and pretended to turn supergrass.

The court was told how the men were pardoned 11 months into an 18-year sen-tence in the mid-90s for heroin smuggling.

Mr Kilfoyle told the jury as part of the statement Haase, 59, said he had bribed both Michael Howard and the men’s Customs handler, Paul Cook.

He told the jury he felt the Michael Howard bribe claim was unsubstantiated.

Trevor Burke, QC, for Haase, said Mr Kilfoyle signed a confidentiality statement and led Haase to believe he was helping him to secure his release.

Mr Kilfoyle said he did sign the agree-ment but denied ever misleading Haase.

Haase and Bennett, of no fixed address, deny attempting to pervert the course of justice between October, 1993, and August, 1995.

Haase’s wife, Deborah, 37, of Teynham Avenue, Knowsley Village, and Sharon Knowles, 36, of Wadeson Road, Walton, also deny attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Deborah Haase also denies possessing illegal firearms and possessing illegal ammunition.