Journalist Don Hale is to share the same stage as veteran human rights campaigner Ludovic Kennedy, as they discuss Don’s successful campaign to free Stephen Downing, who was jailed for murder.

Former Matlock Mercury editor Don won awards and plaudits galore for his work but also attracted intimidation and even death threats.

After years of campaigning against injustice and wrongful convictions, Ludovic Kennedy has written 36 Murders and Two Immoral Earnings, a crushing indictment of British ‘justice’.

They will appear together at the Cheltenham Festival on October 14 to discuss Don’s case and explore their motivations for campaigning on behalf of somebody else, even when it means risking their own life.

Don is pictured here with actors Gary Lewis and Tam Dean Burn, who read extracts from Don’s book at the Derbyshire Festival earlier this month.