HOME Secretary Jack Straw will urge India next week to hasten judgement on a North Yorkshire arms dealer's appeal against a life sentence for smuggling weapons into India.
Mr Straw begins a five day visit to India on Monday and will urge the country's Government to ensure Bleach's case is heard as quickly as possible.
Bleach, a former pupil of St Peter's School, in York, who lived at Fylingthorpe, near Whitby, has spent six years in a Calcutta jail after being given a life sentence for his part in an illegal arms drop in West Bengal.
Yet four Russians and a Latvian who were convicted with him were pardoned by Indian president KR Narayanan after pressure from their Governments.
Two weeks ago, Mr Straw was urged to speak to the Indian president about Bleach's case by Ryedale MP John Greenway.
At the same time, Bleach's mother Oceana, 79, who lives at Brompton-by-Sawdon, near Scarborough, made an emotional plea to the Indian president, begging her son's release.
"It is legitimate for us to urge India to ensure the fastest appeal process in Peter Bleach's case," said Rob Young, British High Commissioner in India.
PICTURE: Bleach
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article