§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on the subject of David Blagden; and if he will make a statement. [154418]
§ Mr. BoatengI have received a good deal of correspondence on Mr. Blagden's behalf suggesting that his continued custody is unfair and unjust given the nature of his index offence and the length of time he has served. There has also been considerable media interest in the case of this discretionary life sentence prisoner both at local level and nationally.
Legal advisers acting for David Blagden are currently challenging by judicial review the content of material due to be put before my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, for his consideration of the Parole Board's recommendations following its hearing of this case on 2 May 2000. Until this action is concluded, it is not possible to respond to the Parole Board's recommendation.