This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/norfolk/8131053.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Biggs' health is 'deteriorating' | Biggs' health is 'deteriorating' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The son of 79-year-old Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs has said his father's condition is "deteriorating". | The son of 79-year-old Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs has said his father's condition is "deteriorating". |
| Michael Biggs visited his father at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the day before he had expected to be released from prison. | Michael Biggs visited his father at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the day before he had expected to be released from prison. |
| It has been revealed that Biggs tested positive for MRSA when he was swabbed upon arrival at the hospital. | |
| Mr Biggs said his father had been transferred to an isolation ward after testing positive for the superbug. | |
| Commons debate | Commons debate |
| Justice Secretary Jack Straw refused to grant parole on Wednesday, describing Biggs as "wholly unrepentant". | |
| Michael Biggs said: "If he does not respond to the current treatment... there is a risk he could pass away." | |
| Profile: Ronnie Biggs How the robbery unfolded | |
| A Parole Board report said the risk Biggs posed was "manageable under the proposed risk management plan and consequently parole is recommended". | A Parole Board report said the risk Biggs posed was "manageable under the proposed risk management plan and consequently parole is recommended". |
| Mr Straw rejected the recommendation to release Biggs, saying he had "outrageously courted the media". | |
| Commons Leader Harriet Harman said on Thursday it would not be "appropriate" for MPs to debate the decision to refuse parole. | |
| Former sports minister Kate Hoey had called for a Commons debate, saying some MPs disagreed with Mr Straw's ruling. | |
| Ms Harman said: "This is not a question of policy, this is a question of a quasi-judicial judgment in the public interest on a particular case." | Ms Harman said: "This is not a question of policy, this is a question of a quasi-judicial judgment in the public interest on a particular case." |
| I would urge Mr Straw to come down to the hospital and see him Michael Biggs | |
| Biggs was moved from Norwich Prison to hospital on Sunday. He has pneumonia and fractures of the hip, pelvis and spine. | Biggs was moved from Norwich Prison to hospital on Sunday. He has pneumonia and fractures of the hip, pelvis and spine. |
| His son told the BBC's Today programme that his father would appeal against the decision because he had expressed remorse in his autobiography. | |
| Speaking outside hospital, Michael Biggs said: "The pneumonia is extremely strong in his body at the moment. He is in a lot of discomfort." | Speaking outside hospital, Michael Biggs said: "The pneumonia is extremely strong in his body at the moment. He is in a lot of discomfort." |
| He added that he could not understand Mr Straw's decision not to grant parole. | |
| He said his father, who suffered the fractures in a fall, was in such poor health that he posed no risk. | He said his father, who suffered the fractures in a fall, was in such poor health that he posed no risk. |
| "I would urge Mr Straw to come down to the hospital and see him," he added. | "I would urge Mr Straw to come down to the hospital and see him," he added. |
| "He cannot read or write. He cannot eat or drink." | "He cannot read or write. He cannot eat or drink." |