A man wrongly convicted of murdering a Cardiff newsagent 15 years ago has called for an inquiry into South Wales Police's handling of 12 other major crimes.

Mike O'Brien, of Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (Mojo), has called on politicians from all parties to back pressure for an investigation into claims of faked interview statements and planted evidence.

Philip Saunders, murdered newsagent

Other allegations centre on confessions obtained under duress by officers.

Mojo, backed by South Wales Liberty, claims innocent people have been imprisoned for crimes they never committed.

In Cardiff Bay, Mr O'Brien said: "There are a still a number of answers that need to be brought to light. We are coming up to 14 years since we were convicted and the real killer has still not been brought to justice."

Plaid Cymru AMs Cynog Dafis and Owen John Thomas, together with MPs Julie Morgan and Elfyn Lloyd have offered their support.

Mr Dafis said: "We are talking about extremely grave allegations against the police, which is not good and it needs to be discussed in an open context."

Mojo also claims to have persuaded MEPs Jonathan Evans and Jill Evans to press for an inquiry.

Julie Morgan MP: 'Important issues'

Mr O'Brien and two other men were arrested and jailed 14 years ago following the death of newsagent Phillip Saunders.

All three were released on bail in December 1998 and were cleared by the Court of Appeal a year later.

Earlier this year, Mr O'Brien protested at being asked to pay a retrospective bill for �37,158 for prison board and lodging during his 11 years in jail.

Michael O'Brien had always protested his innocence

In February last year, the Crown Prosecution Service announced no officers involved in the case would be charged.

South Wales Police also confirmed no action was to be taken against any officers connected with the so-called Cardiff Newsagent Three case.

Mr O'Brien was found guilty of Mr Saunders' murder in Fairwater in 1987 together with Darren Hall and Ellis Sherwood, from Cardiff.

Having repeatedly protested their innocence and following a lengthy legal campaign, the three men were freed in 1999 when their convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal amid concerns over the way the investigation was conducted.

Mr O'Brien has become a campaigner against injustice and, in March 2001, he launched The Miscarriages of Justice Organisation (Mojo) at the House of Commons alongside Paddy Joe Hill - one of the Birmingham Six.