Parole Board warns on ‘interference’

The chairman of the Parole Board has warned against “political interference” in its decisions following an outcry over the impending release of taxi rapist John Worboys.

Nick Hardwick delivered a staunch defence of the organisation after it faced intense scrutiny for deciding that Worboys should be freed after a decade behind bars.

It also emerged that Worboys was denied a move to an open prison two years before he was assessed as safe to be released. In September 2015, the board determined against transferring him to open conditions from a category A jail..

Prof Hardwick acknowledged the board should be open to scrutiny and legal challenge, saying he would welcome a move by Justice Secretary David Gauke to seek a judicial review. He added: “I hope when people think about it, they will agree it is right we resist political interference in our decisions. Like any court, the Parole Board members must make independent decisions in accordance with the law and on the basis of evidence.

An outcry erupted earlier this month after it emerged Worboys, 60, was to be released from prison. He was jailed indefinitely in 2009 after being convicted of 19 offences relating to drugging and sexually assaulting women passengers. More women have since come forward and police now think his victims could number more than 100.