Ripper release defended

THE British Home Office yesterday defended the decision to allow Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe out of Broadmoor to visit the spot where his father’s ashes were scattered.

It issued a statement after it was reported that Sutcliffe, who killed 13 women, was allowed a day visit to the coastal town of Arnside, Cumbria.

Leeds MP Fabian Hamilton criticised the decision, fearing it would cause more grief, anger and upset to the families of his victims. But the Home Office insisted it was “the right and proper thing to do.”