The Justice Secretary blocks Robert Brown’s early automatic release

On 12th October, the family and friends of Joanna Simpson met with the Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk, who informed them that he will step in to block Robert Brown’s early automatic release and refer Brown’s release to the Parole Board.

The decision comes after Diana and Hetti had previously met with the Justice Secretary and launched a campaign earlier this year.

Diana Parkes said: “I am delighted that Alex Chalk the Lord Chancellor has blocked Robert Brown‘s automatic release and is referring the decision to the parole board.  Having to continuously relive my daughter’s brutal killing is emotionally exhausting. We hope that the Parole Board will appreciate how dangerous Robert Brown is and we fear for the safety of our family, Jo’s friends and any female he may form a relationship with in the future.  We would urge them to keep him in jail.”

Hetti Barkworth-Nanton said: “We appreciate the Secretary of State for Justice looking at this case with his closest personal attention and realising that Robert Brown is a danger to the public. Whilst today has been a victory for Diana Parkes, Joanna’s children, myself and Joanna’s wider family and friends, we know the fight doesn’t and won’t end here, we now hope that the parole board sees the level of danger that Brown poses and makes the decision to block his release.”

In a statement from the Ministry of Justice, The Secretary of State for Justice said: “Joanna Simpson was bludgeoned and buried at the hands of Robert Brown, which left two children without a mother and caused irreparable harm to her family and loved ones,” said Mr Chalk, who is also the justice secretary.

“I made a commitment to Joanna’s family that I would give this case my closest personal attention. Having reviewed all the information available to me, I have blocked Brown’s automatic release and referred this case to the Parole Board using powers we introduced to protect the public from the most dangerous offenders.”