MP defends murderer who spoke out at Bristol inquiry

A senior MP has intervened on behalf of a murderer whose day release from prison was suspended after he spoke out before a Parliamentary committee in Bristol.

Keith Vaz, who chairs the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, invited Danny Gardiner to speak about knife crime during a hearing at the Trinity Centre, in Old Market, earlier this week.

The Post was covering the meeting and reported Gardiner's call for the Government to use lifers like him to talk to young would-be criminals and try to prevent them from using knives.

He also spoke about his experiences in jail and the crime which saw him locked up for the past 18 years.

The 48-year-old, who had been working at the Trinity Centre as part of a programme to prepare him for release when he overheard the discussion, had his day release from Leyhill Open Prison, near Thornbury, cancelled as a result.

After reading about the prison's move on this website, Mr Vaz said he had been assured by the Minister for Prisons, David Hanson, that Gardiner's leave would not be affected by giving evidence to the meeting.

Mr Vaz said: "I was very concerned to hear his day release had been suspended but I have received assurance from the minister for prisons that this will not happen due to the fact that he gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee.

"This person was asked to speak because he was working in the room next door and because what he had to say was pertinent to the knife crime inquiry. I hope very much his privilege and those of others will not be affected."

Prison authorities suspended Gardiner's day release because in speaking to the Post he breached a ban on "contacting the media".

However he spoke to the Post only after making his comments to the parliamentary committee meeting to which the newspaper had been invited.

Gardiner had overheard the discussion and, after making it clear he had something to say, was invited by Mr Vaz to speak.

He said would-be criminals needed to know the mess they would make of their lives if they killed someone.

Gardiner, formerly of Stonehouse, near Stroud, told how killers had to live with their demons and urged the Government to use convicted murderers to spread the word.

He was sentenced to serve at least 20 years in 1992, having been found guilty of murdering Alan 'Chalky' White – who was due to give evidence against him in a robbery trial – in Gloucestershire in 1989.

Officials at Leyhill are now reviewing Gardiner's day release and have prevented him from returning to the Trinity Centre.

Other lifers, who had also been attending the centre where they were carrying out painting and decorating work, have also been banned from going back.

A prison service spokesman said: "Prisoners must seek the approval of the prison governor before contacting the media. This will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances."

Leyhill inmates, often lifers coming towards the end of their sentences, are allowed out on day release to do out volunteer work.

They travel by bus from the prison and have to return at the end of the day's work.

Eventually, they will be released on licence and allowed to live in the community.