THE MP for Torridge and West Devon, has spoken passionately about the need for the British Government to appeal to Russian authorities on compassionate grounds for the safe release of the Greenpeace detainees.

Geoffrey Cox spoke in a debate in Westminster Hall, well attended by both the families of those held in Russia on piracy charges, and the MPs representing them.

In the opening lines of his speech, Mr Cox stressed that it is not helpful to those detained to insult or offend those holding them. Instead, he said that the British Government must appeal to the Russian authorities and the Russian Ambassador, based on the compelling arguments provided by those held and their families.

He urged those holding the activists to reflect upon the proportionality of their actions, and stressed that neither being detained in a Russian jail, nor charged with piracy were proportionate responses, given that these young people were not there in illegal law breaking spirit.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the 'Post'.