South Leicestershire MP calls for Parole Reform during PMQs
It comes as double child killer Colin Pitchfork prepares for another parole hearing in the next few weeks
Last updated 15th May 2024
During PMQs South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa said: "Double child rapist and murderer Colin Pitchfork is yet again having another parole hearing in the next few weeks. As well as the brutal murders, this man exposed himself to over 1,000 girls and women.
"Now as MP for South Leicestershire I distributed a constituency-wide survey asking my constituents about parole board reform. Because the problem is that the reconsideration mechanism rules allow Mr Pitchfork to keep asking for a reconsideration of a reconsidered decision, limitless times and cost-free to him.
"So can I ask the Prime Minister if he will arrange a meeting between myself and the Justice Secretary to discuss necessary changes to the reconsideration mechanism rules?"
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak replied: "I know that the whole House will join me in recognising the horror of the crimes committed by Colin Pitchfork and sending our condolences to the victims' families.
"Now, we are reforming the parole system to add a ministerial check on the release of the most dangerous criminals and changing the law so that for society's most depraved killers - life means life."
Rishi Sunak did agree to setup a meeting between Alberto Costa and The Justice Secretary.
15-year-old girls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth were raped and strangled by Pitchfork in Leicestershire in the 1980s.