Home Secretary defends not excluding rapists from initial early prison release scheme

Elliott Appleyard was jailed for repeatedly raping his own daughter. He was told originally he was part of the early release scheme (Picture: PA)

The Home Secretary has defended not excluding rapists from the early release scheme from the start, despite victims saying they were worried for their lives.

Andy Burnham has paused plans to free prisoners early after a public outcry over the release of PC Andrew Harper’s and one of Daejaun Campbell’s killers.

A review of the scheme is set to be p...