The Parole Board has been asked to reconsider its decision to release double child killer, Colin Pitchfork, from prison.
Pitchfork was jailed for life after raping and strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986. He became the first man convicted of murder on the basis of DNA evidence in 1988 as he admitted two murders, two rapes, two indecent assaults and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Pitchfork's 30-year minimum term was cut by two years in 2009, and he was moved to an open prison. He was released in September 2021.
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He was recalled to prison two months later after approaching young women in the street.
However the Parole Board has now ruled that Pitchfork can be freed which has caused The Lord Chancellor to intervene after Conservative MP for South Leicestershire Alberto Costa called for the parole decision to be challenged, and a Ministry of Justice source described it as "extremely worrying".
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC said: "My thoughts remain with the families of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, whose lives were changed forever by the heinous crimes of Colin Pitchfork.
"My number one priority is public protection and after careful assessment I have asked the Parole Board to reconsider their decision to release him.
"It is absolutely vital that every lawful step is taken to keep dangerous offenders behind bars.''
The Mirror reports the Parole Board said in its decision: "The prisoner had committed shocking, serious offences, causing immeasurable harm to his victims. However, the Parole Board's role, as required by law, is to undertake a risk assessment.
"The panel noted that Mr Pitchfork has been in prison for a very long time. His behaviour for almost all of that time has not caused any concern.
"He has made constructive use of his time and is now 63 years old. In general, age tends to reduce risk.
"Mr Pitchfork has completed many courses satisfactorily and the evidence before the panel demonstrated that he had learnt the lessons that he had been taught and had worked out how to apply them in practice.
"Accordingly, the panel determined that it was no longer necessary for the protection of the public for Mr Pitchfork to remain confined and thereby directed his release."
Last month Dawn's mother, Barbara Ashworth, called the Parole Board's decision to recommend his release "diabolical".
She told Sky News: "He's obviously going to have an urge, we just don't know what's in his mind. I don't think there's any way he should be walking the streets. He can't hurt me anymore but could cause disruption.
"He's able to make the parole board believe whatever he wants to say."
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