Bishop Jones was banned from visiting Michael Shields

Bishop James Jones, who was refused permission to visit the 19-year-old Liverpool supporter in February, made his comments in the House of Lords.

Shields' 15 year sentence was cut to 10 last week but a retrial was refused.

The Government's Baroness Royall of Blaisdon said people must judge the risk of travelling to Bulgaria.

Shields, who claims he is innocent, was jailed for the attempted murder of barman Martin Georgiev after a brawl in the Black Sea resort of Varna after watching his team win the European Champions League in Turkey.

Trip banned

The Bishop asked Baroness Royall: "Can the British Government convey to the Bulgarian Government the increasing anxiety about the safety of Michael Shields' conviction and the effect this is having - the nervousness among people about visiting Bulgaria and even investing in that country?"

Bishop Jones, who planned to visit Shields to pray with him ahead of his appeal hearing, said he was not given a reason by the Bulgarian authorities for his trip being banned.

Lady Royall told the Lords: "The legal process in Bulgaria has now ended and the Foreign Office is unable to interfere in the judicial process of other countries, just as they would be unable, quite rightly, to interfere in our own processes."