The Sun wins landmark legal bid to reveal details of the secret decision that threatened to free rapist John Worboys
THE Sun’s landmark legal bid to reveal details of the secret decision that threatened to free rapist John Worboys began in January.
We wanted access to the Parole Board’s reasons — and why a three-person panel suddenly found him fit for release from a top-security jail.
But the board’s draconian “Rule 25” barred any of the information from ever being made public.
Our lawyers began judicial review proceedings, joining forces with two brave victims of Worboys already fighting to block his release.
After a costly battle at the High Court, Sir Brian Leveson, who chaired the inquiry into Press standards, and two other senior judges yesterday backed us.
In a historic legal ruling, they found Rule 25 breached basic principles of open justice.
They ruled Justice Secretary David Gauke had no power to apply a blanket rule of secrecy to the Board’s decisions.
It means he will now be forced to draw up new guidelines.
The ruling will finally give the public a greater right to know why dangerous cons are set free.
Last night Gavin Millar QC, who led our legal challenge, said: “The Sun and its readers are now entitled to answers to their questions about the decision to release Worboys.
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“And victims have got the case sent back to the Board to be properly decided.
“The Sun has struck a huge blow for Press freedom and the public’s right to know.”
A spokesman for The Sun said last night: “First and foremost this is a day for the victims, who have fought bravely to take this case to court.
“But it is also a victory for transparency and for the free Press in a matter of profound public interest.
“Today’s ruling is a landmark judgement in favour of open justice and will allow Parole Board decisions to be subject to the scrutiny they deserve.
“This case has shown all too clearly the value of that work.”
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