Raab trying to block Bellfield’s marriage

MURDERERS, rapists and terrorists serving whole life sentences will be banned from marrying in jail under plans by Dominic Raab to boost the rights of victims.

The Justice Secretary said he wanted to block serial killer Levi Bellfield’s extraordinary plan to get married in jail, describing it as an ‘affront to justice’.

Bellfield, pictured, who was convicted of three murders, including that of schoolgirl Milly Dowler, applied in May to get married after proposing to a female prison visitor he was introduced to by Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe.

He is reported to have launched legal action this week over the failure of the governor of HMP Frankland to grant him a licence to wed. His lawyers claim the delay is a breach of his human rights.

Mr Raab yesterday said he would change the law. He told LBC Radio: ‘I don’t think it is appropriate. Particularly in that kind of case, I think a lot of people will find it an affront to the basic system of criminal justice. ‘I also think there’s a question around the risk to anyone that would marry an offender as egregious as, in this case, Levi Bellfield.’ Asked if the law can be changed in time to block Bellfield’s wedding, he replied: ‘I plan to move quickly.’ Whitehall sources said Mr Raab will use the upcoming Victims Bill to ban prisoners serving whole life sentences from marrying in jail.

The ban would cover Britain’s most notorious offenders, including Sarah Everard’s murderer Wayne Couzens, serial killer Rose West and Michael Adebolajo, who murdered Fusilier Lee Rigby.