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John Worboys: Parole board chief 'very concerned' over black cab rapist's early release John Worboys: Parole board chief 'very concerned' over black cab rapist's early release
(35 minutes later)
The chairman of the Parole Board has said he is "very concerned" that the victims of serial rapist John Worboys were not told of his imminent release. The chairman of the Parole Board has said he is “very concerned” that the victims of serial rapist John Worboys were not told of his imminent release.
Amid criticisms of the decision, Professor Nick Hardwick said he recognises there is a "lack of transparency" in Parole Board processes and will be launching a public consultation. Amid criticisms of the decision, Professor Nick Hardwick added he recognises there is a “lack of transparency” in the board’s processes and will be launching a public consultation.
London cabbie Worboys, a former stripper and adult film star, was jailed indefinitely in 2009, with a minimum term of eight years, for drugging and sexually assaulting women passengers.London cabbie Worboys, a former stripper and adult film star, was jailed indefinitely in 2009, with a minimum term of eight years, for drugging and sexually assaulting women passengers.
It comes after Yvette Cooper, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said she was “really shocked” by the decision and urged the Parole Board to immediately publish its reasons for allowing the release Yvette Cooper, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, had said she was “really shocked” by the decision to allow his release and urged the Parole Board to “publish their reasons immediately”.
Worboys, alleged to have attacked more than 100 women, was told to expect a “very substantial term of imprisonment” after being convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 victims and raping one woman in 2009.Worboys, alleged to have attacked more than 100 women, was told to expect a “very substantial term of imprisonment” after being convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 victims and raping one woman in 2009.
The Parole Board’s decision to allow his release sparked an outcry from charities and support groups when it was made public on Thursday. Charity campaigners have called the time served by the 60-year-old “woefully short” and said his release “beggars belief”. The Parole Board’s decision to allow his release sparked an outcry from charities and support groups when it was made public on Thursday.  Charity campaigners have called the time served by the 60-year-old “woefully short” and said his release “beggars belief”.
Meanwhile Worboys’ ex-wife, Jean Clayton, said he should “never be let out”. There have also been calls for an investigation into why at least two victims were not informed about Worboys’ impending release.
Ms Cooper described Worboys’ crimes as “the most appalling and vile” and said there were “serious questions” about the Parole Board’s decision.Ms Cooper described Worboys’ crimes as “the most appalling and vile” and said there were “serious questions” about the Parole Board’s decision.
“Given the seriousness of this case, the Parole Board should publish their reasons immediately so both the decision and the process can be scrutinised before this man is released,” the Labour MP added.“Given the seriousness of this case, the Parole Board should publish their reasons immediately so both the decision and the process can be scrutinised before this man is released,” the Labour MP added.
“We also need to know what information and support was given to all the victims before this decision was taken.”“We also need to know what information and support was given to all the victims before this decision was taken.”
Her intervention raises the prospect that senior members of the Parole Board could be hauled before MPs to be grilled over the decision. In a statement, Prof Hardwick said the Parole Board “currently have a statutory duty” under its rules which “prevents disclosure of proceedings” that he has “recently set out options for change”.
In a statement on Thursday the Parole Board – which is independent of, but sponsored by, the Ministry of Justice – said: “We can confirm that a three member panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Mr John Worboys, following an oral hearing. “We will shortly be launching a public consultation about how we share our decision-making with the public,” he added.
“I am very concerned some victims were not told about the decision; this must have been very distressing.
“There should be robust arrangements in place for victims to be informed through the Victim Contact Scheme.
“We were told that had been done as usual in this case and released the decision on that basis.”
Ms Cooper’s intervention raises the prospect that senior members of the Parole Board could be hauled before MPs to be grilled over the decision.
In a statement on Thursday, the board  – which is independent of, but sponsored by, the Ministry of Justice – said: “We can confirm that a three member panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Mr John Worboys, following an oral hearing.
“The arrangements for Mr Worboys’ release will be managed by the Ministry of Justice.”“The arrangements for Mr Worboys’ release will be managed by the Ministry of Justice.”
Conservative MP Anna Soubry tweeted: “We are placing huge trust in Parole Board assessments...I’m v surprised that Worboys has been released on basis he’s no longer a risk to women. Parole Board is notoriously ‘risk averse’”Conservative MP Anna Soubry tweeted: “We are placing huge trust in Parole Board assessments...I’m v surprised that Worboys has been released on basis he’s no longer a risk to women. Parole Board is notoriously ‘risk averse’”
Lawyer Harriet Wistrich said two victims had not been informed of the decision to release Worboys.Lawyer Harriet Wistrich said two victims had not been informed of the decision to release Worboys.
She told Channel 4 News the first they learned of his planned release was while “listening on the radio, cooking tea for the kids”.She told Channel 4 News the first they learned of his planned release was while “listening on the radio, cooking tea for the kids”.
She added: “They’ve both said they’re absolutely sick and disgusted and shocked to the core about it.”She added: “They’ve both said they’re absolutely sick and disgusted and shocked to the core about it.”
It is understood all those who were signed up to a victim contact scheme were informed as soon as the Parole Board decision was made.It is understood all those who were signed up to a victim contact scheme were informed as soon as the Parole Board decision was made.
However, Labour MP Stella Creasy called on Justice Secretary David Lidington to investigate the alleged failure to notify victims.However, Labour MP Stella Creasy called on Justice Secretary David Lidington to investigate the alleged failure to notify victims.
She wrote on Twitter: “If true that no notice of parole hearing given to the 100 victims then no chance to have their voices heard = no justice. Hope @DLidington will investigate if this is the case and show VAWG [violence against women and girls] a priority across Government.”She wrote on Twitter: “If true that no notice of parole hearing given to the 100 victims then no chance to have their voices heard = no justice. Hope @DLidington will investigate if this is the case and show VAWG [violence against women and girls] a priority across Government.”
Worboys, who became known as the “black cab rapist” was found guilty of 19 charges of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 women passengers, in one case raping a woman.Worboys, who became known as the “black cab rapist” was found guilty of 19 charges of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 women passengers, in one case raping a woman.
But police said in 2010 that his alleged victims numbered 102 after more people came forward following his trial and conviction.But police said in 2010 that his alleged victims numbered 102 after more people came forward following his trial and conviction.
The allegations were investigated but no further action was taken on the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), police said.The allegations were investigated but no further action was taken on the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), police said.
The Independent understands that 19 allegations that emerged following Warboys’ conviction were investigated by Scotland Yard but dropped with no further action on advice from the CPS.The Independent understands that 19 allegations that emerged following Warboys’ conviction were investigated by Scotland Yard but dropped with no further action on advice from the CPS.
Sir Keir Starmer, who was then director of public prosecutions, has been urged to explain why further allegations against Worboys were not looked into.Sir Keir Starmer, who was then director of public prosecutions, has been urged to explain why further allegations against Worboys were not looked into.
Conservative MP Priti Patel told the Daily Mail: “There are serious questions to answer as to why this was not taken further, why he failed to look into the allegations and why he failed to act.”Conservative MP Priti Patel told the Daily Mail: “There are serious questions to answer as to why this was not taken further, why he failed to look into the allegations and why he failed to act.”
Sir Keir, now Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary, has declined to comment. It is not yet known if he was directly involved in the CPS’s decision not to pursue further allegations.Sir Keir, now Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary, has declined to comment. It is not yet known if he was directly involved in the CPS’s decision not to pursue further allegations.
At the time, a police spokesman said: “The difficulty is that a large number of the women do not know whether they were raped or not.At the time, a police spokesman said: “The difficulty is that a large number of the women do not know whether they were raped or not.
“The only person who knows is Worboys himself. We hope he might consider telling us in the future what went on.”“The only person who knows is Worboys himself. We hope he might consider telling us in the future what went on.”
Worboys' ex-wife, Jean Clayton, told The Sun she felt "utter disgust" at his release. Meanwhile Worboys’ ex-wife, Jean Clayton, said he should “never be let out”.
"If he hadn't been caught and taken to court he would have murdered somebody," she added. "It's very scary. He was the biggest mistake of my life." Jean Clayton, who was married to him between 1991 and 1995, told The Sun she felt “utter disgust” at his release.
More follows... “If he hadn’t been caught and taken to court he would have murdered somebody,” she added. ”It’s very scary. He was the biggest mistake of my life.”