A DECISION on jailed Liverpool FC fan Michael Shields's fate could be made within three weeks.

Merseyside Police have passed their report into Michael’s case to a top barrister asked to examine the case by justice secretary Jack Straw.

Euro-MP Arlene McCarthy, one of the politicians campaigning for the 22-year-old’s release, said: “I am trusting that Mr Straw will make the right decision and release Michael.”

Mr Straw asked the barrister to look into the case after the High Court ruled he does have the power to free the engineering student from the 15-year attempted murder sentence imposed by a Bulgarian court.

As part of the government investigation into the case, detectives looked at new evidence which campaigners say prove Michael’s innocence.

That evidence includes witness statements not considered by the Bulgarian court and re-examining the alleged involvement of other Liverpool men in the attack on a Bulgarian waiter which saw the student convicted of attempted murder.

Now Merseyside Police have handed over their dossier to the Government – although its contents are not known. Yesterday, Mrs McCarthy said: “I had a meeting with Jack Straw last week and he told me that Merseyside Police have sent their report to the QC.

“If this report is going to mean that Michael can be released, Mr Straw has said that he is not going to drag his feet on it.

“My view is that I am trusting that he is going to make the right decision and free Michael.

“I am hopeful that a decision will be taken in the next three weeks.”

Under his sentencing tariff, without a pardon Michael, from Edge Hill, will not be freed from jail until May next year.