Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will publish the full decision of the Parole Board in relation to the case of Ian Simms.

I entirely understand the distress and concern felt by Marie McCourt and her family at the Parole Board’s decision to release Ian Simms, who has steadfastly refused to say what he did with Helen’s body. My heartfelt sympathies remain with the McCourt family.

The independent Parole Board has published the summary of Ian Simms release. It is uncommon for the Board to publish the decisions in full as each decision contains sensitive, personal and other confidential information. Instead, the Board produces a comprehensive summary for victims and may also publish the summary publicly.

The Secretary of State applied to the Parole Board for the release decision to be reconsidered but that was unsuccessful. The Board’s decision on the reconsideration application has also been published on its website.