THE Criminal Cases Review Commission was staying tight-lipped about a convicted rapist's fight for freedom today (Tuesday).

Last week nurses took a new saliva swab from Jimmy Wright in his cell at Frankland Prison in Durham.

But yesterday a spokesman for the commission - an independent body responsible for reviewing suspected miscarriages of justice - refused to tell the Knutsford Guardian when the results would be known.

"We usually do not discuss cases with third parties," she said. "I would have to know all the details about the tests before I could give you even general information about them."

Asked if the Forensic Science Service, which will compare the results to the original tests used to convict Wright at his trial in 1998, could provide the information, the spokesman said it was unlikely.

"I don't think they would talk to you about it either so I don't think it would be helpful to contact them," she said.

Wright has asked the Knutsford Guardian to cover his bid for freedom on numerous occasions.

But that was not enough to convince the commission spokesman.

"He would have to write to us and confirm that he doesn't mind us talking about his case," she said. "And even then it is not really our policy.

The jailed dad, whose fiance lives in Longridge, was convicted at Chester Crown Court of raping a Knutsford woman in her home, but has always protested his innocence.