'˜Free Tony Taylor' campaign launch

Mr. Taylor, (48), a spokesperson for Republican Network for Unity (R.N.U.) was arrested in Derry on March 10 and has been in prison ever since.

The SDLP and Sinn Fein both supported a motion calling for Mr. Taylor’s immediate release from prison at a council meeting last month.

The motion was proposed by Independent Councillor, Gary Donnelly, who described Mr. Taylor’s continued imprisonment as a “disgrace”.

The campaign to free Mr. Taylor is being backed by family, friends and local politicians.

A spokesperson for the campaign called on anyone with a regard for “civil liberties” to attend Tuesday’s meeting and back the drive to have Mr. Taylor released from prison.

“We are expecting the local political parties to send representatives to Tuesday’s meeting. Dr. Anne McCloskey, who is Tony’s G.P. is also backing the campaign to have him released.

“We would call on anyone who respects civil liberties and human rights to come along to the meeting and show their support for the campaign.”

Mr. Taylor was released on licence from Maghaberry Prison in 2014 after serving three years for possessing a rifle but his licence was revoked by British Secretary of State for N. Ireland, Theresa Villiers M.P. in March.

An NI Office spokesperson said Mr Taylor was released on licence and that “the law provides that individuals may be recalled to prison to serve the remainder of their sentence if they breach the conditions of their licence.”

The ‘Free Tony Taylor’ campaign will be launched at a public meeting in the Maldron Hotel on Tuesday at 7:30p.m.