The MP for Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston has demanded that the government ensures offenders who break their licence conditions when released early from prison are recalled back to prison for the full remainder of their original sentence.

Shipley constituency MP, Philip Davies, was outraged that recalled criminals were walking free after a short term back in prison. Speaking in the Justice Questions last week, Mr Davies said: “Does the Secretary of State agree with me that prisoners released on licence who breach the terms of their licence should serve the remaining part of their sentence in full in prison? If he does agree what is he doing to ensure this always happens? If he doesn’t agree, why not?”

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said: “I have a lot of sympathy with him on these matters like breach of licence and areas like automatic release.

“What I would say to him, while I cannot do everything he would like me to do for resource reasons, when we publish the Bill due to be laid tomorrow is that when he reads it he will find things in it that he feels are, at least, a step in the right direction.”