Serial killer Levi Bellfield is to be allowed to marry behind bars after officials accepted there was no way to block him under existing laws.
The 55-year-old is serving two whole life orders for killing 13-year-old Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange, as well as the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy.
Bellfield had challenged efforts to stop the prison wedding after he became engaged to a female visitor last year.
It was reported he got down on one knee to propose in front of wardens at high security HMP Frankland in County Durham.
Boris Johnson, who prime minister at the time, was said to be “sickened and appalled” at the situation and a review was launched.
The Sun reports Bellfield won a bid to be granted up to £30,000 in legal aid after his lawyers cited the European Convention on Human Rights and the 1983 Marriage Act.
The murderer also claimed to have been the victim of discrimination after officers banned him from wearing an engagement ring, the paper says.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Under current laws there are no legal routes to block this marriage and we recognise the pain and anger this outcome will bring to his victims’ families.
“It is what has driven our plans to stop prisoners on whole life orders from marrying in prison through our new Victims and Prisoners Bill – ensuring this never happens again.”
‘Significant concerns’
The government unveiled plans in March aimed at blocking the release of dangerous prisoners and ban criminals serving whole life orders from marrying behind bars as part of an overhaul of the parole system.
Upon receiving Bellfield’s application for marriage in 2022, then-justice secretary Dominic Raab said: “What I can tell you is it is inconceivable that the prison or the Ministry of Justice would authorise that marriage unless the very significant concerns about the safeguarding were addressed.”
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Bellfield was given a whole-life term for the murder of Ms McDonnell, 19, in 2003, Ms Delagrange, 22, in 2004, and the attempted murder of Ms Sheedy, 18, in the same year.
He was already serving his sentence when he went on trial for killing schoolgirl Milly, who was snatched from the street walking home from school in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002.
He was found guilty of abducting and killing the youngster at the Old Bailey in 2011.
More than 60 inmates are believed to be currently serving whole life orders.
