Gordon Brown sends Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi a heartfelt letter

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent an extraordinary letter of solidarity to the Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, telling her she is "not alone" as she faces the second day of her trial in Rangoon for breaking the terms of her house arrest. The only problem is that, as far as anyone knows, Suu Kyi is very much alone.

The British ambassador was among those refused access to Insein prison yesterday where the bizarre case against Suu Kyi - she is charged with harbouring an American who swam across lake Inya and entered her home against her wishes - is being held in private.

The Independent claims it has seen the "heartfelt" letter from the PM in which he makes it clear that he believes she is the rightful leader of the country. "We should not rest until you are able to play your rightful role in a free and secure Burma," he said. "I want you to know: you are not alone."

Brown has long had a special place in his affections for Suu Kyi. He devoted a chapter of his 2007 book Courage to her, comparing her struggle against the Burmese junta with Nelson Mandela's fight to end apartheid in South Africa.

Brown's open letter to Suu Kyi includes a promise to encourage Burma's Asian neighbours "to work even harder for your release and that of all political prisoners in Burma".

He goes on: "People are standing with you, not just here in Britain but everywhere that democracy and freedom are upheld. We are heartened by your tremendous courage, your inspirational leadership, and by the knowledge that no oppression is so great that the forces of liberty cannot prevail."