Emotions are no doubt running high, especially with latest extended period end looming.
I feel there is a little jockeying for position going on here should the eventual outcome be favourable to JB and his team of adm.. - I mean supporters!! 
ngb, are you still confident the defense team will have had enough time to have prepared a strong enough case by this close date (31 Jan 12)?
How long after the close date (if it is not extended further) do you anticipate the CCRC responding with their decision?
I would love to know what induced Mckay to enter the fray so late in day - I assume it must be something significant - or his name will be mud like the previous JB lawyers.
If the CCRC decline this latest appeal will Mckay continue with the cause?
Nick - I will answer your questions as well as I can:
Jeremy tried to call me at the weekend to wish me a happy new year and to give me an update. Unfortunately I was not able to take the call but he left a voicemail message. He said that the work to prepare the final submissions is going well and the submissions will be made by the deadline of the end of this month. He also said that the ECHR decision on his whole life tariff is expected on 17th January.
I anticipate that the CCRC will take several weeks to review the final submissions. My guess is that a decision is likely at the end of March at the earliest, and more likely in April. It is possible that the submissions will include renewed requests for the CCRC to obtain additional evidence using their section 17 CAA powers. If so it is possible that there will be a further delay for scientific examination to be carried out, and further supplementary submissions made. I emphasise that this is just my own view and is not based upon anything I have been told by Jeremy.
Simon McKay became involved as a result of Jackie's twitter campaign. As I understand it he started following Jackie on twitter and expressed an interest in the case. Jackie passed this on to the campaign team and also told Jeremy. I know Jeremy was considering the question of his legal representation because he discussed it with me. Eventually a visit was arranged and Simon spent a long time with Jeremy discussing the case. Following this meeting Simon offered to take on the case and Jeremy, after very careful consideration, decided to instruct him. This was a major decision for Jeremy in view of the limited time available but in my view (without going into the discussions I had with Jeremy about this) he made a sound decision for the right reasons. I do not know Simon McKay and have never spoken to him but from what he has said via twitter I understand that he has taken on the case (it is significant that he takes on very few cases and is therefore able to be selective) because he believes Jeremy to be the victim of a miscarriage of Justice. I know that Simon gave Jeremy a commitment about the resources he would put into the case (bear in mind he is acting pro bono) and Jeremy has been very pleased that Simon has done what he said he would.
Jeremy remains confident that the case will be referred to the Court of Appeal and that he will succeed in an appeal against his convictions. If the CCRC's final decision is not to refer the case to the Court of Appeal the campaign on behalf of Jeremy will continue. Obviously I am not able to speak on behalf of Simon McKay but I anticipate that he would continue to support Jeremy.
