AN MP last night welcomed moves for the Court of Appeal to decide if a labourer accused of murder 14 years ago should be re-tried.

Frank Cook, MP for Stockton North, said it was "an important step forward on a very long journey" after the Crown Prosecution Service was given the go-ahead to apply to quash the acquittal of Billy Dunlop.

Mr Dunlop, 42, faced two trials for the murder of 22-year-old pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg, in Billingham, Teesside, but both juries failed to reach a verdict.

On Thursday, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald, gave his consent for Mr Dunlop's case to be referred to the appeal courts, where it will be decided if he should be tried again.

It is the first case to be referred after the double jeopardy law was scrapped in April following a campaign by Julie's mother Ann Ming, supported by The Northern Echo.

Mr Cook has supported Mrs Ming and family throughout the campaign.

He said: "There is no doubt Ann Ming's crusade -which I have been honoured to support for so many years -has been a crucial factor in changing the double jeopardy rules.

"I cannot praise too highly her commitment and determination. I sincerely hope the Court of Appeal do clear the way for a retrial."

Under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which came into force this year, the law was amended allowing those acquitted at trial to be tried for the same crime again if there was compelling new evidence.