He fed us, clothed us, sheltered us, trained us and placed us in decent jobs. He has dedicated his whole life to the welfare of the deaf and his absence has already affected us. We cannot survive without his help and guidance.

He is honest, innocent, God-fearing and frank.

- The deaf who have been helped by Ian's charity,

The Nambikkai Foundation

We promised him we would see this through, no matter how long it took. It has taken a very long time so far.

- Ian's mother, Monica

This is the worst miscarriage of justice I have dealt with. To understand and be understood at your trial is a fundamental human right, and Ian was not allowed it.

- Stephen Jakobi, director of human rights

group Fair Trials Abroad

If we prepare my dad's case well, we have the potential to help thousands of deaf people in India, and that makes it so much

easier to carry on.

- Ian's 23-year-old son, Lennie

I believe there has been a miscarriage of justice. Ian's background and charity work for others make it impossible to believe he was involved in drugs, and there are strong compassionate reasons to release him.

- York MP Hugh Bayley

I want all those present to know that the campaign has my full support and backing.

- Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope

When I heard about Ian's case, I thought that could so easily be me.

- Dringhouses vicar, the Rev Martin Baldock, who was arrested twice while working in Zambia

Updated: 11:34 Wednesday, May 01, 2002