Relief as Redcar man released from prison in Myanmar after being jailed for insulting Buddha

Philip Blackwood, originally from Redcar and who has dual British and New Zealand citizenship, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years hard labour for insulting Buddha.

He was said to have used an image of Buddha with headphones on as part of a cheap drinks promotion.

The image caused outrage in the country - formerly known as Burma - and he was jailed along with a bar owner last March.

Mr Blackwood was one of 100 people freed from prison by the incoming pro-democracy NLD government this week.  

Foreign Office Minister, Hugo Swire, above, tweeted: "Very pleased Philip Blackwood has been granted amnesty in #Burma, especially for his family.

"Release of 52 political prisoners in today’s amnesty very welcome - but call on Burma to free all remaining political prisoners."

Reacting to the news, Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald said: "I am absolutely delighted for Philip Blackwood and his family on hearing reports that he has been released after spending almost a year in the brutal Insein prison - aptly described as the ‘darkest hell-hole in Burma’.

"While details of his release are still emerging, I am sure the greatest relief will come when we know Phil is actually on a plane, on his way home and, of course, when he is reunited with his family.

"I am still of the view he was harshly dealt with for a simple and innocent mistake and one for which he apologised profusely.

"His family, with Amnesty International and human rights activists, have campaigned relentlessly for him to be released from a two-and-a-half year sentence for ‘religious defamation"’ in what many felt was imposed for political reasons.

"Although Phil is a dual New Zealand/ British passport holder, his case has been actively pursued by both Governments and from the British side through the Foreign Office and our Embassy in Rangoon.

"I have raised the matter in the House of Commons on behalf of the family and pressed Hugo Swire, Secretary of State for the Home & Commonwealth Office for his intervention and ongoing liaison with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs who handled the case.

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald

"It is pleasing that the Burmese authorities have granted him a presidential pardon. I am aware that there has been a regime change in Burma as well as other international action and perhaps that has been a major factor in Phil’s release and the release of another 100 so-called ‘prisoners of conscience’."