Parole chief apologises to victims not told of rapist John Worboys' release

The chairman of the Parole Board has "apologised unreservedly" to the victims of rapist John Worboys for not being told of his imminent release.

Professor Nick Hardwick said the Parole Board was told Worboys' victims had been informed he was to be released so revealed the decision on that basis.

He said the women had been "failed by the system".

Prof Hardwick added the process must have been "very distressing" for victims and said he would launch a public consultation as he recognises there is a "lack of transparency" in the Parole Board.

He called on MPs to back his call to change Parole Board Rules which prevent the decision-making process for specific cases to be discussed.

Worboys, who became known as London's black cab rapist, was convicted of rape and several sexual assaults.

He was jailed indefinitely in 2009 and police have since linked him to more than 100 further rapes and sexual assaults after other alleged victims came forward.

On Wednesday, it was revealed he will be released soon after serving his minimum sentence of eight years.

Labour's Keir Starmer, director of public prosecutions in 2009 and the current shadow Brexit secretary, refused to answer questions about the case when approached by Sky News.

Asked whether he thought the right decision was made by prosecutors not to pursue further allegations against Worboys, Sir Keir said: "These decisions were nine years ago.

"It's very important you go to the Crown Prosecution Service and get an accurate read out of the decisions that were made, particularly if further allegations have been made now."

Prof Hardwick's comments came after Labour MP Yvette Cooper called for the Parole Board to publish the reasons behind its decision to release John Worboys from prison.

Ms Cooper said: "There are many serious questions why this dangerous man has been given parole after serving such a short sentence for his attacks against women.

"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.

"We also need to know what information and support was given to all the victims before this decision was taken."

This could mean that senior members of the Parole Board are brought before MPs to be questioned about their decision.

Labour MP Stella Creasy also called for further investigation, tweeting: "If true that no notice of parole hearing given to the 100 victims then no chance to have their voices heard = no justice.

"Hope (Secretary of State for Justice David Lidington) will investigate if this is the case and show #VAWG (violence against women and girls) a priority across government."

Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith also tweeted: "How are people supposed to have confidence in the system when the system treats victims with such contempt?"

Worboys, 60, carried out his attacks between 2002 and 2008.

Many of his victims had been drinking in trendy West End and Chelsea bars.

The cab driver, who is also a former stripper, would offer them champagne spiked with powerful sedatives to celebrate a made-up lottery win, which he would attempt to prove by showing his victims a carrier bag stuffed with cash.

Worboys would then pounce on his victims in the back of his vehicle as they were left insensible and unable to protect themselves.

In a statement, the Parole Board 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."

When he was sentenced, Worboys was told he must serve at least eight years in prison and that he would not be released until parole officials were convinced he no longer posed a threat to women.

One of his victims, whose identity is protected, told Sky News: "I feel shaken up and very upset at the decision."

Worboys' ex-wife, Jean Clayton, 60, said he should never be let out of prison.

She warned his "next step would have been murder".

"I feel utter disgust. If he hadn't been caught and taken to court he would have murdered somebody. It's very scary," she told The Sun.

Meanwhile, the chief executive of Rape Crisis South London has criticised the decision to release Worboys, saying his victims would "never be totally free from his despicable actions".

Yvonne Traynor added: "It feels far too soon for this dangerous and manipulative perpetrator to be released into the public having served this woefully short time in prison."