Carr's release plans reviewed after theft

Detailed plans for Maxine Carr’s release from custody were being urgently reviewed today as an inquiry was launched into the theft of documents from the official who drew up the arrangements.

Prisons chief Martin Narey, head of the National Offender Management Service, admitted that he “can’t be sure” that the strategy has not been compromised but said it will go ahead as planned.

The highly sensitive documents – which did not include details of Carr’s new identity – were stolen from a Ford Fiesta near Hampstead, north London, less than 24 hours before she was moved from prison yesterday.

Police confirmed that the papers were discovered dumped on Hampstead Heath four hours later, but the incident has sparked fierce criticism for the British government.

Mr Narey, responsible for both the prison and probation services, told GMTV: “It hasn’t altered any of the meticulous planning we have had for Miss Carr’s release.

“She was released exactly as planned into police custody yesterday and will be released into the care of the Probation Service tomorrow.”

Asked if he believed details of the plans may now be in the public domain, he said: “We can’t be sure, but we don’t think so and in any case there was no information in the back of that car relating to her identity, as is being alleged.

“Clearly we were disturbed that some papers were taken, but these were the papers of a hugely dedicated and talented official of the Home Office who has been working very hard and who has made a mistake which we will have to investigate.

“But I am confident that the plans for the release of Miss Carr and her supervision by the Probation Service following her court sentence this week will now go ahead effectively.”

A Home Office spokesman said today that staff are assessing the plans for the release of Carr, who was moved from Foston Hall Prison, near Derby, into police custody yesterday.

The 27-year-old former fiancee of Soham murderer Ian Huntley has served half of a 42-month sentence imposed for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

She provided a false alibi for Huntley by lying to police over her whereabouts on the weekend in August 2002 when he murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.