A LEADING Bulgarian politician has condemned the royal pardon given to Michael Shields.

Former deputy prime minister and now MEP Ivailo Kalfin said he was “shocked” by the decision.

He said the Bulgarian trial which convicted Mr Shields had been “100% clear and followed all correct procedures”.

Mr Kalfin was Bulgaria’s foreign minister in 2005 when barman Martin Georgiev suffered a fractured skull after being hit on the head with a paving slab in Varna.

He said: "I feel that, over the past few days, political considerations took over the need for justice and I am really disturbed with it.

"Jack Straw has to find some explanation for his decision, but this is not convincing - several people saw the attack.”

Mr Straw’s office, however, said it was wrong to say it was a political.

Mr Straw added: “The new evidence which emerged from the meeting with Mr Shields’ parents and from Merseyside Police’s subsequent inquiries has been passed to the Bulgarian authorities.

“My decision does not amount to a criticism of the Bulgarian courts.”