Birmingham Six’s Paddy Hill offers to help hunger striker
By Deborah McAleese and Lisa Smyth
Wednesday 13, December 2006 - 08:57
The hospital where Ulster hunger striker Oswald Brown was taken following a High Court judgement was today seeking legal advice into the matter.
Brown, who today entered day 53 of his hunger strike in protest at a rape conviction, was rushed to Belfast City Hospital from Magilligan Prison yesterday evening after the High Court granted hospital staff permission to feed him through a drip.
A spokeswoman for the hospital this morning said Brown was in a stable condition and he would be reviewed during the day.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Deeny said that it is “lawful and proper” that Brown should be given intravenous nutrition after hearing that there had been a “significant deterioration” in his condition.
However, it is understood that the City Hospital will today examine their legal position regarding whether it is legal to actively intervene and force Brown to undergo treatment.
Meanwhile, Paddy Hill of the Birmingham Six has offered to help Brown in his battle to have his rape conviction re-examined.
In a letter of support to Brown, the Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (Mojo), set up by Mr Hill, offered him legal expertise and access to top forensic experts - providing he comes off the strike.
Brown was convicted of raping a student in 2001.
He claims he is innocent and, although he is due to complete his prison sentence within days, he has vowed to starve himself to death unless his case is reopened.
The Miscarriages of Justice Organisation wrote to Brown as soon as it heard about his case, urging him to come off his hunger strike.
The letter says: “If you are innocent, we will help you in any way we can.
“There are a million and one questions I would like to ask you about your case. However, before we help you, you will first of all have to help yourself by getting stronger and fitter and taking this fight to them.
“Although there is no magic wand, we can guarantee help with legal experts and top forensic scientists.”
John McManus, co-founder of Mojo, told the Belfast Telegraph that Brown would have to come off his hunger strike if he really wanted to clear his name.
“We can only help him if he agrees to help himself. If he wants to clear his name, he is going to have to get stronger both physically and mentally. The only way to do this is through the legal channels,” he said. Mr McManus said that Tommy Campbell was also keen to meet Brown.
Mr Campbell was cleared two years ago of murdering six people in Glasgow after serving 20 years behind bars for the crime.
Like Brown, Mr Campbell went on hunger strike while in prison to protest against his conviction.
