Alberto has expressed his deep disappointment following the Parole Board's decision to hold Colin Pitchfork’s next parole hearing in private, reversing its May 2024 decision to hold the hearing in public.
A public parole hearing of double child-rapist and murderer Colin Pitchfork, was initially set for 8-10 July, but on Thursday a Parole Board statement said:
“Material changes in circumstances there has had to be a change of decision in relation to the nature of the hearing, which will no longer be held in public. It has been caused by unforeseeable developments including fresh allegations in respect of relatively recent conduct.”
Mr. Costa, who led the successful campaign for Colin Pitchfork’s parole hearing to be held in public, expressed his disappointment at the unexpected change in listing.
Mr Costa Said "The decision to hold this parole hearing in public was a significant step towards transparency and public understanding of the Parole Board's processes. I respect the need to treat new evidence with sensitivity, but many will feel this latest change undermines the progress we have made and adds to the confusion and distress felt by my constituents and the wider community."
In response to the change, Mr. Costa stated: "I am deeply disappointed that members of the public will now miss the opportunity to see first-hand how the Parole Board assesses risk and conducts Mr Pitchfork’s hearing. My team and I are now doing everything we can within the Parliamentary rules to fight for transparency and justice for this case.”
Colin Pitchfork was found guilty of the brutal rapes and murders of two teenage girls in the 1980s and was the first person in the world to be convicted using DNA evidence. The families of the victims, along with Mr. Costa and his constituents, have been closely following the developments of this case.
The Parole Board's statement indicated that fresh allegations in respect of relatively recent conduct needed to be heard. Mr Costa acknowledged the necessity of thorough risk assessments and treating new evidence appropriately but stressed the importance of timely and transparent proceedings.
"The safety of the public and the mental well-being of the victims' families must remain our top priorities. I urge the Parole Board to expedite this process and ensure that the hearing is rescheduled at the earliest possible date and to consider how it can regain the trust of the public by being more transparent." Mr Costa added.
Since becoming the MP for South Leicestershire in 2015, Mr. Costa has consistently campaigned against the release of Colin Pitchfork. He remains committed to ensuring that justice is served and that the voices of the victims' families are heard.
Recent timeline:
- June 2023: The Parole Board issued a decision directing for Pitchfork’s re-release from prison. Following Mr Costa’s intervention, the Justice Secretary applied for reconsideration on the grounds that the decision was irrational, and the Parole Board granted the application.
- 7th December 2023: Following a fresh oral hearing the Parole Board reversed its decision and ruled that Pitchfork should remain behind bars.
- 12th February 2024: Pitchfork uniquely applied for reconsideration of a reconsidered decision, and the Parole Board confirmed that it had granted his application on the grounds that the provisional decision of 7th December 2023 was irrational.
- 16th May 2024: The Parole Board agree to Mr Costa’s request to hold the hearing in public.
- 28th June 2024: The Parole Board adjourns planned public oral hearing of Colin Pitchfork due to “a very recent development”.
- 11th July 2024: The Parole Board change the hearing’s listing from public to private.
