Dominic Raab will fight criminals who launch ‘spurious’ legal claims to try to get out of jail time
DOMINIC Raab will fight criminals who launch “spurious” legal claims to try to get out of jail time — as he faces a race against time to stop Levi Bellfield getting wed.
The Justice Secretary is introducing a ministerial block on releasing murderers, rapists and terrorists.
He wants to take Parole Board decision-making in a “different direction” — putting public protection at the heart of the new legislation.
It comes amid the expectation criminals may bring challenges under UK law and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Mr Raab said: “If an individual poses a risk to the public, they shouldn’t be released.
“We shouldn’t allow the risk of spurious litigation to stop us.
“If it’s a fixed-term sentence then we can only manage parole decisions until the end of the licence.
“If it’s an indeterminate sentence, it will be until they can satisfy the Parole Board and ultimately the Secretary of State that they no longer represent risk to the public.”
The new law would stop whole-life lags from marrying in jail to protect the partners from manipulation.
Triple killer Bellfield, 54, is understood to have launched legal action after not being given a licence to wed at HMP Frankland, Co Durham.
The Parole Board said: “We always welcome reform that supports the rights of victims.
“Public protection is at the heart of our decision-making, which is based on the evidence and the law.”