The case of beaten footballer Robert Hughes has been described as one of “international and European importance”, by an MEP.

Sutton’s Member of European Parliament Robert Evans made the comments after meeting Robbie’s mother Maggie on Friday as she continues with her campaign to raise attention of the savage attack on her son in Malia, Crete, on June 17, which left him fighting for his life.

During the meeting Mrs Hughes told how she wants to see better support for British victims of crime or accidents abroad after her own experience left her feeling the Foreign Office and British Embassy in Greece “wanted to help but were powerless to do so”.

Mr Evans said he recognised that the campaign was a cross-party issue and detailed how he would try and help by first securing a meeting with the Greek embassy in London to explain the Greek legal process.

He would then “investigate the European dimension” and ask Minister for Europe Caroline Flint about relations and communications between both countries, he said.

Mr Evans also said he would talk to the relevant department in the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice or the Foriegn Office to get involved in an interactive website that the Hughes family are building.

He said he would also contact the international department of the British police to “see what they would do in a similar situation” where a foreigner was in need of victim support on British soil.

“Your son was unfortunate in the way he was treated by the police, “Mr Evans said.

“What we need to establish is a better way for people to get help when they are in crisis abroad; what to do if you’re robbed or where to go if you need an interpreter or the pitfalls and advantages of different hospitals.

“The British Embassy do have a role to support British citizens in other countries.”

After the meeting a clearly beaming Mrs Hughes said she was impressed with Mr Evan’s points but stressed she would not wait for action to happen and would keep up the pressure.

She said: “I believe we can do more than just talking about it.

“I want to go all the way to the top about this.”

Meanwhile a parliamentary early day motion on the campaign, begun by Carshalton and Wallington Lib Dem Tom Brake, has now attracted 50 signatures.

The Edm notes how since the attack an independent witness has come forward, but British police are unable to act because it is not in their jurisdiction and no request for assistance has been made by the Greek authorities To read more stories about Robert Hughes go to www.suttonguardian.co.uk