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| Worboys release decision overturned as parole head quits | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A decision by the Parole Board to release the rapist John Worboys has been quashed, prompting the board's chairman Nick Hardwick to resign. | |
| The legal challenge by two victims was upheld by the High Court, and the Parole Board praised the "bravery" of the women who brought the action. | |
| Worboys, 60, has served 10 years, including remand time, of an indeterminate prison sentence. | Worboys, 60, has served 10 years, including remand time, of an indeterminate prison sentence. |
| Mr Hardwick said he was resigning immediately. | Mr Hardwick said he was resigning immediately. |
| In his letter of resignation, Mr Hardwick said Justice Secretary David Gauke had told him his position was "untenable", adding he was "sorry for the mistakes that were made in this case". | In his letter of resignation, Mr Hardwick said Justice Secretary David Gauke had told him his position was "untenable", adding he was "sorry for the mistakes that were made in this case". |
| High Court judges said "further inquiry" was needed into Worboys' offending. | |
| The case will now be referred back to the Parole Board. | The case will now be referred back to the Parole Board. |
| Worboys, who is now known as John Radford, was convicted of one rape, five sexual assaults, one attempted assault and 12 drugging charges - but police believe he committed crimes against more than 100 women between 2002 and 2008. | Worboys, who is now known as John Radford, was convicted of one rape, five sexual assaults, one attempted assault and 12 drugging charges - but police believe he committed crimes against more than 100 women between 2002 and 2008. |
| After a hearing about his case in November, the Parole Board decided to approve his release with "stringent" licence conditions, arguing its decision was based on appropriate evidence. | After a hearing about his case in November, the Parole Board decided to approve his release with "stringent" licence conditions, arguing its decision was based on appropriate evidence. |
| But the High Court judges said the Parole Board "should have undertaken further inquiry into the circumstances of his offending". | But the High Court judges said the Parole Board "should have undertaken further inquiry into the circumstances of his offending". |
| Justice Secretary Mr Gauke congratulated the victims on the "unprecedented legal action" and announced plans to examine Parole Board rules, which could make the system more open. | Justice Secretary Mr Gauke congratulated the victims on the "unprecedented legal action" and announced plans to examine Parole Board rules, which could make the system more open. |
| London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who brought the challenge with the two victims, said the decision would bring "some reassurance to his victims and to all Londoners". | London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who brought the challenge with the two victims, said the decision would bring "some reassurance to his victims and to all Londoners". |
| At a court hearing this month, lawyers for Worboys' victims and Mr Khan had argued that the former cab driver had been dishonest with the Parole Board and had crafted an account to convince the panel he was a changed man. | At a court hearing this month, lawyers for Worboys' victims and Mr Khan had argued that the former cab driver had been dishonest with the Parole Board and had crafted an account to convince the panel he was a changed man. |
| They said the "wider allegations" against Worboys should have been taken into account. | They said the "wider allegations" against Worboys should have been taken into account. |
| During his original trial, jurors heard Worboys - who became known as the black-cab rapist - picked up his victims in London's West End and gave them champagne laced with sedatives, claiming he had won the lottery or had won money at casinos. | During his original trial, jurors heard Worboys - who became known as the black-cab rapist - picked up his victims in London's West End and gave them champagne laced with sedatives, claiming he had won the lottery or had won money at casinos. |
| 'A victory for transparency' | |
| The implications of this ruling go beyond the case of Worboys. | |
| News Group - the Sun newspaper - also brought a legal challenge. They, along with Mr Khan and the victims, challenged the lack of openness of the Parole Board and its failure to give reasons for its decisions. | |
| The High Court found that the rules, which stop Parole Board decisions from being made public, are unlawful. | |
| Mr Gawke said such rules would be abolished. | |
| A spokesman from the Sun praised it as "a victory for transparency and for the free press". |