More than 800 islanders gathered for an emotional rally at the Lerwick Clickimin Leisure Complex [last night] to hear speeches from politicians and local campaigners, all damning the Home Office's treatment of Lerwick man Sakchai Makao.I'm told by one Shetlands resident that it's the biggest meeting of its kind he's seen there; something like one third of all Shetlanders have signed the petition. Also from the above report:
[I]n the first statement from a Scottish Executive minister, Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said Mr Makao had his sympathies and called on Home Secretary John Reid to release him.(And here.)Mr Scott said: "He has been subjected to UK government actions, actions that are wrong - legally and morally. Any good government can listen; any good government can hold up its hands and say we got this wrong.
"I seriously encourage Dr John Reid to admit he got it wrong - and to send this young Shetland man home."