CAMPAIGNERS for two cousins who were cleared but then found guilty over a fatal road crash in Cyprus have raised their concerns with a Cypriot politician.

Braintree MP Brooks Newmark, Saima Hirji, a solicitor for Fair Trials International, and lawyer Karen Todner met the Cypriot acting high commissioner Dimitris Hatziargyrou at the House of Commons yesterday to raise their fears about how Luke Atkinson and Michael Binnington, both 23, have been treated.

The young men were found guilty of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm last month after prosecutors appealed against the original decision of a lower court. They have not been allowed a retrial and a sentencing hearing due to be heard yesterday has been postponed. They do not know when it will be held.

Mr Newmark, who debated their case in the House of Commons on March 14 with Home Office minister Meg Hillier, said he was confident Mr Hatziargyrou will convey their concerns to the Cypriot authorities, although as a representative of the executive he cannot interfere with the independence of the Cypriot judiciary.

"I am pleased that we have, at the very least, been able to shine a spotlight on Luke and Michael's case and it is good news that their sentencing hearing has been delayed," said Mr Newmark.

"However, the fact remains that to overturn an acquittal without a retrial is extremely unusual, even in the Third World, not to mention in a Western democracy."

Mr Binnington, who lives near Maldon, said he was "hopeful" about the action being taken to support their case, but said it was still a waiting game.