CAMPAIGNERS looking to free deaf charity worker Ian Stillman are hoping to win UK Government backing before a crucial meeting between the British and Indian Foreign Secretaries.

Jerry Dugdale, Ian's brother in law, says that Jack Straw is due to meet his Indian counterpart in Delhi on Friday.

He said: "We are all hoping that the Government has agreed to intervene by then, as Ian's case is definitely going to be raised at the meeting.

"If the Government has not agreed to intervene it will only be raised, but if they are supporting us it could be then an intervention is made."

Jerry also said that unless the government agrees to intervene before the July 24 parliamentary recess, Ian's campaign could be held up until the autumn.

He said: "We seem to be waiting and waiting, when what we want is an answer. Things are now two years on and we still have not had a yes or no from the Government.

"We are in fighting mood at the moment though. Obviously there are times when you feel positive and other times when you feel less positive, but this is a key time in the campaign.

"The more people that support our cause by signing the petitions the better."

As well as being profoundly deaf, Ian is diabetic and an amputee, having lost a leg in a road accident.

Lawyer Stephen Jakobi, director of Fair Trials Abroad, says his case is the worst he has ever dealt with.

* The Evening Press petition calling for Ian's release has now been signed by thousands of readers. It can be signed at out offices in York and Malton, where multiple copies can be collected. It can also be printed off from here

Updated: 08:50 Monday, July 15, 2002