A campaign to pressure Greek authorities to get justice for brutally beaten holidaymaker Robert Hughes is gathering momentum in the corridors of power.

Member of Parliament Tom Brake’s early day motion has now been signed by 43 MPs, after just two weeks in the public domain.

The news comes as this newspaper receives assurances from Mayor of Malia Kostas Lagoudakis that the Greek police are investigating the savage attack on June 17 in Malia, Crete which left Mr Hughes, 28, fighting for his life.

And Mayor Boris Johnson said yesterday at Mayor’s Question Time that he would leave no stone unturned in his attempt to bring justice to the Hughes family.

Mr Johnson said he had spoken to the Greek authorities, the Greek tourist office and London police about giving any evidence they have to secure a successful extradition back to Greece of those suspected of the attack.

Robert’s mother, who received backing from Conservative leader David Cameron after this paper secured an exclusive meeting, offered her thanks to the Sutton Guardian for pushing the issue.

She said: “I just want to give the Sutton Guardian a pat on the back.

“I’ve just received an email from my Greek lawyer saying how the Mayor of Malia has been contacted by the Sutton Guardian and he is impressed at how the British public have come onside.

“Things seem to be looking positive, but we still need to strike while the iron’s hot and make sure we get justice for Robbie.’’ Mr Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, is aiming for 300 signatures to guarantee a debate of the issue in the House of Commons.

Since the attack, an independent witness has come forward, but British police are unable to act because it is not in their jurisdiction and no request for assistance has been made by the Greek authorities.

As the crime was not reported within 48 hours, a legal loophole has allowed the suspects to return home.

This paper has since uncovered that the men, all in their 20s, live in Horley, Surrey – just miles from the Hughes’ family home.

The Mayor of Malia, Kostas Lagoudakis said: “This incident that happened between persons while they were on their vacations in our region is truly regrettable.

“We wish good recovery to the young victim and we hope that such incidents do not happen again in the future because they particularly disquieten us.’’ Boris Johnson said: "The victim is in a bad way and was flown home and none of the suspects are on Greek soil so the authorities have to go through the trouble of extraditing them.

"But it is vital for justice that they do this and the family and Robert get the justice they deserve."