A MEMBER of the chart-topping band Chumbawamba today spoke of the band's effort to help free a convicted murderer. The band, including four Burnley-born members, are backing the case of Satpal Ram who has been in prison for 12 years for killing another man.

Chumbawamba and Satpal's other supporters claim Satpal was defending himself against a racist attack and is the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

Singer Dunstan Bruce took time out from the band's busy schedule to speak to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph about their involvement in the campaign to free Satpal.

He said: "We heard about Satpal through the band Asian Dub Foundation who released a single about his case. We got in touch with the campaign and asked how we could help.

"We have devoted part of our website to Satpal and are trying to do our bit to highlight the injustice he has suffered."

Chumbawamba played at the Womad festival in Reading last Friday and invited some of Satpal's supporters on stage before their gig to speak to fans about the case.

The band have just returned from a tour of European festivals and will play at V '98 before heading off to Japan.

Dunstan said: "Hopefully we will then have time to work on a new album and we are looking to release a compilation album. People don't realise that we have a long history. There is more to Chumbawamba than just Tubthumpin'."

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