Conservative MP voted against plan to keep abusers and murderers locked up

Last week, Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP David Simmonds voted against exempting 6 more offences from early prison release - including breaching stalking protection orders and sexual harm prevention orders, revenge porn, and even murder. 

The statutory instrument was meant to close loopholes in the government’s SDS40 early release scheme that saw perpetrators of these dangerous offenders released from prison early. However, 99 Conservative MPs voted against the measures, which passed through the House of Commons with support from the Liberal Democrats.

Commenting on the shocking vote, Liberal Democrat spokesman Joseph Gaunt said:

“The last Conservative government drove our prisons to breaking point. We are now seeing the consequences of their failures with the early release scheme - and victims, survivors and communities in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner who are paying the prices.

"It adds insult to injury that our local Conservative MP has now voted against exempting more dangerous criminals from this early release scheme - including some stalkers and even murderers.

“Liberal Democrats will always stand up for victims and survivors of crime, even if the Conservatives won’t."