Brighton bomber Patrick Magee is expected to be released tomorrow having served barely one-third of his recommended sentence, angering Conservative MPs.
Magee, who plotted to annihilate the former Conservative prime minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, and her entire Cabinet at the Grand Hotel, Brighton, on October 12th, 1984, received eight life sentences. He has served only 14 years despite the judge's recommendation that he serve a minimum of 35 years. He will be the 277th prisoner to be freed under the Belfast Agreement.
MPs said his release would be "widely resented" and that this was a "particularly bad example". Ms Ann Widdecombe, shadow home secretary, said: "The early release of terrorist prisoners is not desirable, and bearing in mind the enormity of Magee's crime, he should have served what the judge indicated."