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Jack Straw today dramatically ordered that Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs must stay in jail because he shows no regret for his crime.
In a statement, the Justice Secretary said 79-year-old Biggs, who was eligible for release on Friday, and failed to respect the punishments handed to him for his crime and had behaved “outrageously” while on the run.
His decision means that Biggs, who is currently seriously ill in hospital with pneumonia, is unlikely to ever be freed and is almost certain to die a prisoner.
Announcing his decision today, Mr Straw said: “I have informed Mr Ronald Biggs today of my decision regarding his parole.
“Mr Biggs chose to serve only one year of a 30 year sentence before he took the personal decision to commit another offence and escape from prison, avoiding capture by travelling abroad for 35 years whilst outrageously courting the media. Had he complied with his sentence, he would have been a free man many years ago.
“I am refusing the Parole Board's recommendation for parole. Biggs chose not to obey the law and respect the punishments given to him – the legal system in this country deserves more respect than this. It was Mr Biggs's own choice to offend and he now appears to want to avoid the consequences of his decision. I do not think this is acceptable.
“Mr Biggs is wholly unrepentant and the Parole Board found his propensity to breach trust a very significant factor. He has not undertaken risk related work and does not regret his offending."
Earlier Biggs's lawyer had warned the Great Train Robber could die as he made a last minute appeal to Jack Straw.
Giovanni di Stefano said 79-year-old Biggs, who is in Norwich Hospital with pneumonia, was “seriously ill” and was too sick to be operated upon.
He said: “It is serious. He is really ill and anything could happen. He is nearly 80 years old. He's had strokes, a brain haemorrhage and now he's got pneumonia. They can't operate on him because he might not recover.”
Mr di Stefano's warning came ahead of Mr Straw's decision on whether to give approval for Biggs, who becomes eligible for release on Friday, to be freed from custody.
Under plans drawn up by the Parole Board, which earlier this month recommended Biggs was released, the Great Train Robber would have been moved to a Barnet care home.
Mr di Stefano said that he had wanted Biggs's release to be delayed because if he was freed the three prison officers who were currently guarding him would be removed, placing him at risk from other members of the public.
Reader views (38)
Most prisoners requesting parole lie about their supposed contrition for their crimes. He is being honest and for that is punished and will probably die in prison. I thought prisons were overcrowded, surely we could show a bit of compassion for a sick old man and put away some real villains ie paedophiles and anti British muslim extremists, anyone who actually poses a threat to society. Ronnie Biggs is no threat any more and Jack Straw should be ashamed of himself
- Catherine Ferguson, North Stifford, 07/07/2009 08:54
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By refusing to release Mr Biggs, Mr Straw has demonstrated a distressing lack of humanity. Mr Straw's action is indicative of a Government dedicated to raising false hopes in the nation (especially amongst the young) while never admitting to their unattainability. It is to be hoped that the Government will soon release the nation - via a General Election - and Mr Biggs by an act of humanity
- Mike Nicholson, Godalming, United Kingdom, 02/07/2009 10:51
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He took life to steal, and ran away to play. He was ill, coukldn't pay, and ran away. He's dying and expects to... run away. And put nothing back. It's real life I'm living.
A prcision use of power. More.
- Helen, Reading, 02/07/2009 09:45
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Sorry is the hardest word - unless you are a murdering rapist who wants to get out early - that's why they repent Jack you stupid labour person. What was it the British ambassador said about you........?
- Never Eat Tuna Again, London, 02/07/2009 06:57
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Jack Straw & the rest of our corrupt politicians, are all guilty of treason. They are not loyal to the Crown, but to an illegal organization called the EU.
It is Jack Straw who should be in prison. He is a very dangerous character, in fact a demon in angels clothing. How dare he pick on some frail old man such as Ronnie Biggs. Straw should be hung, and I would be only too pleased to do this personally. He is an evil man.
- Timothy Palmer, Wuerzburg Germany, 02/07/2009 03:52
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Not so long ago some germans charged with war crimes were not tried because of their age. what sort of country is Britian and this jack the straw brain. At least tell old ronnie I think he is a better man then this straw bloke will ever be.If only he had burnt some jews instead of robbing some money.
- Gazza, Australia, 02/07/2009 03:00
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Am an expat who was a youngster at the time of the robbery.Whilst criticisms of Jack Straw re present crime problems are valid,he has made an important point re Biggs.We must not forget the injuries misery and death that Biggs and co caused to train staff and families.Why feel sorry for a vicious thug who enjoyed a life in the sun and has lived to be 79.A lot older than aforementioned train staff.As Straw points out he, Biggs, has never expressed remorse he appears not to care about them. Let us keep our sympathies for the Great Train Robbery VICTIMS and families. Doubtless the Train robbery victims families feel 'imprisoned" by their loss, releasing an unrepentant Biggs would be a slap in the face to them. No matter how old and sick a criminal thug becomes, if he remains unrepentant,he is undeserving of public sympathy.
- Robin Mckenzie-Smith, Florida usa, 02/07/2009 02:52
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Minnie.
This nasty little man "a lion"? Really? For stealing and lying his whole life? You've got a very strange, sad and warped view of the type of person who can be called a lion. You're not from the East End by any chance?
- Sean, London, 01/07/2009 23:53
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Is there no mercy? Biggs can't communicate properly, so how could he, if he wanted to, show regret for his crime?
- Mark, Venice, Italy, 01/07/2009 23:31
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' Biggs chose not to obey the law and respect the punishments given to him – the legal system in this country deserves more respect than this'
Dead right, Jack: so all those MPs who committed fraud will end up in the dock, won't they? We know we can trust you.
- Mdj E10, london uk, 01/07/2009 23:26
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i cant believe that murderers get life and are out in 8 years and yet ronny just stole paper called money and dies in jail labour rules ok again!!!
- Bob, belgium, 01/07/2009 21:17
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Jack Straw's justification line is unbelievable - "the legal system in this country deserves more respect than this".
Mr. Straw - your precious legal system will get more respect when it starts prosecuting the thieves in the House of Commons and House of Lords. Those thieves don't express any regret either, as they queue up to announce that they will "step down" and to deny any wrongdoing. Make a start by banging up the likes of Blears and Porno Jacqui, and while you're at it, get Blair arraigned as a War Criminal at the Hague. Only then might you get a bit of respect but you won't get it for this spiteful little act.
- Ex-Pat David, Cape Town, South Africa, 01/07/2009 21:07
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Sorry Stuart, I meant Brazil. It looks like he'll now have to take a raincheck on toasting his release in a Margate pub. What an arrogant and odious man!
- Sonia M., St Albans, Herts, 01/07/2009 18:20
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Ah! Jack "big shot" Straw taking the hard decisions.
What a man.
It's like someone shot a lion and Straw poses for his picture besides it.
Now, if it came to a really hard decision to make I'm sure Straw will be missing. Macavity and his twin brother.
- Minnie Ovens, London, UK, 01/07/2009 18:04
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Ok, so he busted out of jail in his younger days, he's now an old man, and IMO is not a danger to society. Let him out & free up a space for another of these teenage knife idiots. Or is Straw's idea to keep the old man in jail til he dies & let another knife thug get away with murder. Knowing Straw, the 2nd option will be the one he goes for. So all these nutters that get released early & go on and kill someone is ok in Straws book, but an old man, albiet a scammer, has to rot in jail. Sounds about right!
- Dom, London, 01/07/2009 17:58
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Some of you are missing the point - indirectly or not, someone DID die and he did NOT do his time. Do not equate this crime with the crimes of today - at the time it was massive. As for the welcome home party arranged,I do not know how many of the gang are still alive,except that I am a neighbour of one of them.
- Neighbour, Croydon, 01/07/2009 17:56
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Why am I not surprised?
Politicians have amply demonstrated that they have no morals, that they think "nothing wrong" means the same as "nothing illegal". Would you expect someone like that to demonstrate mercy and compassion?
If there's any case for keeping Biggs in jail, it's to deter other violent robbers. But violent robbers don't get thirty years these days, they get community service. So who is deterred? It's different if you rob a few million quid instead of a granny's pension? How, exactly?
- Nigel, London, 01/07/2009 17:49
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Ronnie Who ?
This is a guy, low ranking member of a now notorious 60's gang, that robbed a Royal Mail train of its cash, and hit someone with an iron bar, causing a black eye and bruising, I dont remember anyone being murdered during the robbery, they didn't carry knives or guns, yet he gets 30 years! Murder someone today and you get 10-12 years, early release if you behave yourself, unless judge recommends term during sentencing! what a joke!
- Paxton, N17, 01/07/2009 17:48
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Absolutely the right decision.
Now make Life mean Life.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 01/07/2009 17:25
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Release him and then send him and his son back to Brazil where they belong. They both led pleasant lives in Brazil for a number of years without paying any UK taxes or contributing anything to the NHS. He only returned to the UK, with his son, because we are silly enough to allow those who have contributed nothing to claim full benefits and free health treatment ahead of the indiginous population who have contributed for years. I have little or no sympathy for Biggs he is just another sponger and waster and certainly does not deserve the level of handouts and sympathy being given to him and his son.
- Paul, Croydon Uk, 01/07/2009 17:23
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Surely this is victimisation. Every week they let out early the knife thugs that have killed with no mercy. These killer thugs too mostly show no remorse for their crime but the judiciary is soft on them.
- Lin, London England, 01/07/2009 17:23
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And just how much regret do the hypocrites in the Liebour government show for their crimes?!
- A. Cameron, Liege, Belgium, 01/07/2009 17:16
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I'm glad parole has been refused, he done the crime now he doing the time, no Champagne on Friday Mr Biggs, I agree with everything the Justice Secretary said.
- David, Abbey Wood, 01/07/2009 17:13
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so if he had pretended to show remorse like most prisoners he would be out!!he did not kill anyone and unlike murderers and rapists he got a very long sentence ..shame on you straw!!!
- Jean, London England, 01/07/2009 17:11
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I have never had much respect for Jack Straw, people like him were the reason I left England but I did think that compassion might be possible in as much as he is 79 years old, dying and not likely to be any harm to anyone. I remember the Great Train Robbery and those who were involved were given much larger sentences than anyone had before or have since. This whole thing is ridiculous, let the man out.
- Chris Darling, Hubbards, Nova Scotia, Canada, 01/07/2009 17:06
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Well Mr Straw if the government can admit they mistake in the economy, then im sure we will be ok..
The man's done his time for his crime...let him free..
Seen worst people get paroled for violent crimes...
- Adrian, london, 01/07/2009 17:01
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Sonia, you mean Brazil!
- Stuart, Dunstable, Uk, 01/07/2009 16:56
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Great news. let him die in prison and lets forget about him.
perhaps the NHS trust that was willing to burdon his retirement home costs will now take on some poor elderly person who really needs it.
doubt it though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Jonny, London, 01/07/2009 16:53
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If only there were enough prison spaces for other equally or even more serious offenders to get the same.
- Roz, France, 01/07/2009 16:50
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Leave it out you mugs, s'outwageous that little commie Straw ain't letting Wonnie aht the nick. Blimey, there's mass murderers done less time than Wonnie did as it woz. Let's be honest Bwazil weren't no picnic wiv that Jack Slipper hanging around like a bad smell all the time plus you can 'ave too muchg of a good fing if you know wot I meen. I'm well upset, I'd sorted out a nice little 'do' fer Wonnie and all 'is mates daahn the Beffnal Gween Woad n'all, not that Wonnie'd recognize the bloomin'place these days, still we could've gone up and dahn the apples and stairs and 'ad a fw dwinks round the joanna in a nice new whistle an'all that.
- Ranter, Maidstone, UK, 01/07/2009 16:50
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Yes, he should be released immediately...and put on the next plane back to Mexico. He only came back because he couldn't afford medical treatment. Why should we pay for him, when pensioners here who've paid a lifetime of taxes can't afford the level of care that this criminal is now receiving - at our expense? This is so wrong. Jack Slipper must be turning in his grave.
- Sonia M., St Albans, Herts, 01/07/2009 16:43
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I will save my sympathy for more deserving causes: remember this man was involved in a violent robbery which resulted in a man's death.
- Alan, London, 01/07/2009 16:22
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Once he's released, just wait for the 'miraculous' recovery, the TV chat shows, the meetings with all the surviving gang members, PR representation by Max Clifford, a book, a film and a general good laugh about what naughty boys they were... "I done my time, I'm entitled!"
And still no apology to the Jack Mills' family. What an icon to today's youth!
- Haskey, London SE1, 01/07/2009 15:50
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Let's hope that once he's free, he gets treated like an ordinary citizen, and has to queue up for hours in a hospital waiting room, like us other honest mugs.
- L.Taubler, London / ENGLAND, 01/07/2009 15:48
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Headline should read "will be free AGAIN".
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 01/07/2009 15:12
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Labour 'tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime' means 'tough for victims of crime, tough for communities under crime'. 1 in 7 murders is by someone let out early to free up prison places.
'Education, education, education' means 20% of all children leave school without 5 good GCSE's. Teachers need special protection from wild disruptive kids as Labour lets them do anything. 50% go to university for which they have a debt of £30,000 for a useless degree, and unemployment for young people is huge. More out of work, than in work.
Of course Mr Brown had McBride working for him dealing in a culture of lies, so what are a few promises to the voters. Brown clearly thinks we are all too stupid to see he is a conman, and a very bad conman.
- Jerry, birmingham uk, 01/07/2009 15:08
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Who says crime doesn't pay under a Labour government?
- Albert Swift, Aberdeen, Scotland, 01/07/2009 15:02
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Thats it, cause chaos for a while, then break your hip, claim on the NHS and then claim on the tax payers to pay for your pension retirement home.
Well Done !
- Josh, London, 01/07/2009 14:48
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