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.
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.
John Worboys’ cab (Metropolitan Police/PA)
In a statement, Prof Hardwick said he has “recently set out options for change” and that the Parole Board has a “statutory duty” under its rules which “prevents disclosure of proceedings”.
“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.”