A Maze escaper who was extradited to the North from the US has been granted leave to apply for a judicial review which could lead to his early release. Jimmy Smyth is challenging the British government's refusal to reduce his prison sentence by the period he was in custody in America fighting his extradition. Papers lodged in the High Court in Belfast yesterday referred to a statement by the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, that the release of paramilitary prisoners is for discussion in the talks process.
Smyth said in an affidavit: "I believe my request should have been considered on its merits and not dependent on the progress made by politicians in the talks process."
Smyth was serving a 20-year sentence when he escaped from the Maze in the mass break-out in 1983. He was extradited in 1996 and is now back in the Maze.