A DECISION to release a Bournemouth wife-killer on parole will not be contested by the Ministry of Justice despite lobbying from justice secretary Dominic Raab.

Russell Causley, who murdered his wife Carole Packman in 1985, was deemed safe for release following the first public parole hearing in UK legal history in December last year.

Shortly after the decision to release Causley for the second time was announced, Mr Raab said he was “carefully looking at whether to ask the Parole Board to reconsider” the decision – while describing Causley as a “calculated killer”.

However, less than one month later, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said it will not contest the decision, citing a lack of legal grounds to do so.

Bournemouth Echo: Dominic Raab previously backed calls for Causley to have the first public UK parole hearingDominic Raab previously backed calls for Causley to have the first public UK parole hearing

An MoJ spokesperson said: “We have thoroughly examined the Parole Board’s decision but detailed legal advice concluded there were no grounds to ask them to reconsider their decision.

“We know this will be incredibly difficult for Carole Packman’s family, but Russell Causley will be under close supervision for the rest of his life and can be recalled to prison if he breaches the strict conditions of his release.

“Our parole reforms will stand up for the rights of victims in cases like this, making public safety the overriding factor in parole decisions and adding a ministerial veto on release of the most serious offenders.”

According to the MoJ, the justice secretary can only ask the Parole Board to reconsider a decision if there is evidence the process has been followed incorrectly or the decision is based on an error of law. In this case, it was concluded there was not an arguable legal case to apply for reconsideration.

Bournemouth Echo: Carole Packman with her daughter SamanthaCarole Packman with her daughter Samantha (Image: Gillingham family)

At Causley’s latest hearing, he claimed someone else had murdered his wife and that he had disposed of the body by burning it in the garden of his Bournemouth home.

Causley’s story, however, has changed numerous times over the years and he has described himself as a consistent liar.

The family of Carole Packman, namely her daughter Samantha Gillingham and grandson Neil, have lobbied for decades to keep Causley behind bars.

Ms Gillingham previously said: “There isn’t really anything that I can appeal on.

“Nothing can be believed. We still don’t know where my mother is.”