Leeds Fans Remembrance - Letter to local MP
As you may be aware the trial is still ongoing in Turkey and we are not getting any nearer to a final court date. We have been chasing the foreign office and various MP’s but nobody is getting involved so we are now writing to all our local MP’s.
Last week i tried to start an E-Petition on the government website asking them to intervene in the case but i got an email rejecting this saying we needed to take this to the foreign office. I checked other petitions and found one for another foreign case so asked what was the difference in them but have had no response.
I have now wrote to my local MP’s on the site
If you wish to do the same and try and get us some support for this then we would appreciate it.
This was a letter that has already been sent.
Dear Keith Parker, Keith Wakefield and James Lewis,
I am the brother of Chris Loftus who was murdered in Turkey in April 2000 when Leeds United played against Galatasaray.
The case is still ongoing over in Turkey and we don’t seem to be getting any information back from the foreign office and have been refused access to the evidence by West Yorkshire police. We have told them this is against the freedom of information act but they have said that this could cause an international incident. I don’t understand why telling the truth could cause an international incident.
We have continually tried to get a conclusion to this trial but nobody seems to want to get involved. As you can imagine this trial is taking a great toll on the friends of family of all involved and we just want to be able to move on with our lives.
We have to live this everyday and we are continually getting knock back after knock back while the main person in the case is free and has been since 2004.
At the inquest West Yorkshire police said on oath that we had done nothing to provoke this , but their main form of defence was that we had abused woman and done things to their flag which was all lies. None of this evidence has ever been submitted to the authorities in Turkey so we don’t know if anyone is aware of this.
I appreciate you cant change Turkish law but surely you can apply some pressure to their government.
I recently tried to submit an e-petition on the government website but this was also rejected.
I would appreciate any help or support you could give us in this matter.
On the 5th April it will be the 10th Anniversary of their deaths and we have been organising charity events in their memory and all the money raised will be donated to candle lighters children’s cancer charity.
Thanks very much for your time and i hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Loftus
Andy, The three people on your letter are not your MP’s they are Kippax Councillors, your local MP in the Elmet and Rothwell constituency is Colin Burgon, 22A Main Street, Garforth, Leeds LS25 1AA. Don’t worry about the letter to Councillors, James Lewis will be the Labour Party candidate in your constituency at the next election so its fine to send it to him.
And just to let you know I will send a copy of your letter to my local MP, Edward Davey, Kingston and Surbiton. who happens to be Foreign Affairs spokesperson for the Lib-Dems.
Thanks for the info. That Colin Burgon was asked to get involved before he promised all sorts and then did nothing. A bit like the rest of them have.
Its not like we are asking for anything out of the ordinary we just want the trial sorting out once and for all.
At the time of the trial we got told to stay silent and Turkey would do the right thing because they wanted to get into europe. Well what a pile of crap advice that was.
Admin, Sorry to hear that although I think you might be being a bit harsh on Colin Burgon, I know he is a big Leeds fans and a normal working class bloke himself, but that is an aside, he is retiring at the next election but he is still the relevant local MP for Andy for the next few months. In general I understand your frustrations when dealing with Government and Parliament, its not an easy process sometimes. As it happens in my other life when not blogging on Leeds and footy I do something called “Public Affairs” (basically lobbying and persuading politicans) and I am happy to offer my experience, totally free of charge now and always, of dealing with things. I have contacts in all the main political parties and Westminster that may be of use, the quest for justice will open all doors if done correctly. If you think I can be of assistance contact me via the email address, it didn’t occur to me until today you hadn’t got someone who could help at that level.
Cheers
Michael (Editor Clarkeonenil)
Regarding “The case is still ongoing over in Turkey and we don’t seem to be getting any information back from the foreign office and have been refused access to the evidence by West Yorkshire police.” - could this not be taken to the European Court of Human Rights?? Okay, they can’t intervene in Turkey, but could they not force West Yorkshire Police to allow you access to the evidence?
Also, just wondering if it’s worth Leeds fans individually contacting their MPs versus everyone contacting one particular MP direct. I’m not sure whether my local MP would raise this (Chelmsford) if a few requests came in. However, if a number of fans contacted one specific MP, then that maybe more powerful.
Also, all MP’s have to hold surgeries, where constituents (us) can turn up and discuss their issues with them face to face. If you go down this route then there’s no avoiding the issue and cuts through all the emails and internet postings that can sometimes go unnoticed. If you meet your MP face to face, they have to listen. They take place locally and regularly.
These are just some thoughts. Hope things get moving for you.
Clarkeonnil if he is a big leeds fan then all the more reason that he should get involved with this. I am not being harsh on him one bit like most politicians he promised all sorts when interviewed about this but has done nothing to help our case.
This may sound a like strong but we as a family are sick of being passed from pillar to post without anyone helping us.
This is Andy i manage this site.
Colin i didnt know politicians had face to face surgeries so i will look into that. Thanks for the advice.
If people want to contact their MP’s , european parliament then please do so its so frustrating for us knowing what to do.
I started to do an e-petition on the government website but they refused this saying it was a matter for the foreign office. I checked other petitions and there was one to ask prime minister to intervene in the case over in pakistan where Naheem Hussain and Reham Zaman, British nationals faced the death penalty.
So where is the consistency here if its foreign policy then should be same rules for all.
We have been in touch with foreign office but again we seem to be drawing a blank.
Andy,
Re. the Surgery, either call directory enquiries and get the number of the address of the constituency that Michael provided earlier, or maybe Michael has the number? If that fails, call your local newpaper. You can find the names of your local paper from:
http://www.yli.org.uk/newsplan/news_search.asp
then do a search in google for the paper and they should have a website with contact details. I’m sure they’ll have the phone number listed.
Don’t bother trying to find the number from your MP’s website - it’s not working. I tried to find it this evening.
I also noticed that your charity push was featured in the Yorkshire Evening Post:
http://www.yli.org.uk/newsplan/news_search.asp
This was written by Paul Robinson. Do you have his contact number?
The local press will be on YOUR side. I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to help.
Ideally book an appointment at the MP’s surgery and maybe even invite the local newspaper contact along as well. He can only say No, but I doubt he will and I’m sure that would grab your MP’s attention.
I’m sure Michael will correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s your MP’s duty to spend time with you and listen to you. That is what you pay your taxes for.
If getting to a MP’s surgery is an issue, then I know that some MP’s will visit you at your home at at time that convenient for both of you.
Is there a list of objectives that you want to achieve, such as:
I want access to such and such information but currently it is being blocked by x, y, z.
I need a contact for something but can’t get one.
Who do I need to speak to to get an answer on a particular question?
etc. etc.
I know those questions seem shallow, and don’t do justice to the feelings that are running round in your head, but maybe then we could help in trying to find out the answers on each of the jigsaw pieces and get some progress.
Again, my sympathies and support go out to you. For what it’s worth I was born and bred in Ossett, Yorkshire, but am now based down south.
There are people who are paid good money to help resolve the problems you’re facing. If we can find them and get them on board then maybe we can get achieve your aims.
Keep it up guys i know you as a family will never give up. I’m sure if you continue to keep expressing your frustrations on things like this blog and at other forums such as waccoe.com someone somewhere will be able to offer some advice.
Clarkeonenil sounds like a good lead prehaps?
On Saturday 3rd April we are at home to Swindon. This is just an idea but maybe you can do something at the game to remind all Leeds fans that this still hasn’t been concluded. Maybe a pin badge for supporters to wear or even just some banners outside the ground maybe? A call to calendar and or Look North with a few hundred fans before kick off and you might get some exposure to this???
I’m sure you have now written to many people over the years for help with this issue. Have you wrote to any of the famous Leeds fans who at the least can maybe help get some exposure?
Good luck with everything ill keep coming here for updates and will always offer any advice or ideas if i think it may help.
Cheers
Eddy
I live in Swindon and know many Leeds fans locally so have sent a copy of Andy’s letter to Anne Snelgove, the Swindon MP.
Just sent an altered version to my MP so see what comes back!!
Eddy,
We are already selling various items for Leeds Fans Remembrance from the peacock car park and various pubs around Leeds. There will be a minutes silence at the game and bucket collections. I am not sure if there will be anything else planned but we are in contact with Leeds United about this.
On checking the website of my MP for Leeds North East, Fabian Hamilton, I found that he is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee which monitors the policy, administration and expenditure of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and its associated public bodies.His website states that “Membership of this committee means that Fabian is very well acquainted with issues relating to countries overseas and aspects of foreign policy “. So, I have written to him to ask for his comments on the lack of progress, information and support for the two families from the various bodies you have all mentioned. As the Foreign Affairs Committee website says that “we choose our own subjects of inquiry”, I have asked him to make this injustice a subject of their choice.
I will let you know his response. If it is not satisfactory, I will visit him at his surgery.
On another note, I wondered if you had sought advice from the Hillsborough Justice Campaign and/or the Hillsborough Family Support Group on how to persevere and raise your profile. I don’t have any experience of dealing with them but with their experience of hitting brick walls over and over again regarding justice for football fans, they may be worth a try.
I am looking forward to the match on Sunday at Garforth Town and hope you raise loads of money for such a worthwhile cause. Just hope it doesn’t snow!
Further to my blog yesterday, I have already received a very positive reply from my MP Fabian Hamilton. He is keen to help in anyway including writing to the Foreign Secretary and the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police. He says that it would be useful to speak to any of the family members and asked if I knew where any of the Loftus family live. So please get in touch with him at fabian@leedsne.co.uk or on 0113 249 6600. The fact that he replied so promptly is very encouraging! If you want me to forward a copy of his reply, please let me know.
I have also received a positive response from the Swindon MP who has written to the Foreign Affairs Committee. She will let me know whnenshe hears back from them.
Hi There
I sent my letter to Paul Truswell last night and have recieved a reply this evening. He has advised that “he will be working with Jof and the Loftus Family to address the concerns described in the mail as far as I can.”
Jof have you heard from him since your letter?
Cheers
Laura
My MP, Paul Truswell, is very eager to help & has offered to carry on helping us after the next election when he is stepping down.
I will be speaking with Andy Loftus as he is getting me some info off his parents to see what they have tried so far so that I can then go back to Paul Truswell.
He gave me some options as to what we can do.
All seems very promising!!
Lindsey please could you forward the email to andyloftus@btinternet.com
Lord Ken Woolmer of leeds should be getting in touch shortly.
hope he can help get things moving for you.
Thanks Gavin i hope many more do the same.
Hi. interesting to note that Colin Burgon as done nothing for you, he has done nothing for any one latley prob due to him retiring and he was no help to me when i asked him for help.
he lives in the next street to me in allerton bywater s and i would not waste anymore time getting him to help, he has lined his pockets.
The Goverment has got to step in as this has been going on for too long now and justice as not been done.
if it was a turkish person here you can bet the goverment would bend over backwards to help turkey.Like you say the petition to help the person from the death penelty is allowed but your not allowed to have a e-petition. this just is not right and something needs doing to help.
regards
steve
Steve there are lots of letters being received now its all a load of crap all we get is we cant get involved. I know we cant change another countries laws but surely we can put some pressure on them to get this resolved. Also they have now said that they wont accept any evidence from over here despite the fact that it proves without doubt we did nothing to provoke this attack.
Are you a morgate regular Steve seems like most of the leeds fans go in there. I now live on Leeds Road.
Ive just forwarded the links to my local MP - Owen Paterson ( shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland )
and asked for his support / help.
I will forward any responces.
Cannot attend the game on saturday, but will paying my respects at the southend game.
All the best for the weekend.
Regards. Chris & Kev - R.I.P.
Never forgotten.
Remove that turkish scums comment please…
Please
Remember the family’s left behind,
Remember 2 young men died in Turkey.
Remember the Turkish Scum still walk free.
Remember no action has been taken regarding Galatasaray AND ITS FANS involvement in the murder.
WHY
Please don’t go to TURKEY as long as they shelter MURDERES
Regards. Chris & Kev - R.I.P.
Never forgotten
I have removed them but i wanted people to see them for what they are. I asked a load to drop him an email and see what reaction they got.