David Sumberg MEP
Sumberg
campaign helps prompt law review
The Home Office has
written to David Sumberg MEP announcing a review of the law governing the rights
of criminals writing books following his campaign against moors murderer Ian
Brady publishing a book last December.
Mr Sumberg wrote to the
Home Office in October saying the book ‘The Gate’s of Janus’ exposed an
anomaly in the law in that there was nothing to stop murderers like Brady
earning vast sums of cash by writing books.
In the letter from Home
Office minister and Manchester MP Keith Bradley, Mr Bradley admits to concern
over ‘The Gates of Janus’ and concedes the law governing the publication of
books by criminals is ‘limited in its scope’.
Mr Bradley writes:
‘Where criminal memoirs are concerned we are looking at ways in which we can
prevent both profiting directly from criminal activities but also the more
complex situation when the gain is not from the criminal activities themselves
but from the notoriety of the crime itself and the perpetrator.’
Mr Sumberg said
the policy review is a victory for decency and common sense.
‘The only reason this book was published was because Ian Brady is one of the most infamous murderers in Britain today,’ he said. ‘It cannot be right that he should be able to use his notoriety to secure a book deal. Moreover it is utterly wrong that he stands to gain an estimated at 12 – 15000 pounds from sales on which he has a 10% stake. Moreover to add insult to injury his mother Margaret received a publishers advance of 3500 pounds last year.’
‘I am pleased the Home Office is reviewing the law to prevent a similar publication sadly it has come too late for the victims families and the countless other people who were upset by the publication of this foul book.’
Mr Sumberg repeated his call on booksellers across the North West to boycott ‘The Gates of Janus.’
‘I have said it all along the only contribution Brady can make to society is to help find the body of little Keith Bennett who remains unfound on Saddleworth Moor.’
NOTE: A full copy of the Home Office letter can be faxed on request by contacting Mr Sumberg’s Press secretary Ben Pinnington on the above number.
Ian Brady The Gates of Janus – background.
The 320 page book, retailing at 17.99, gives a supposed insight into the minds of notorious serial killers including the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe.
It is being published by the American firm Feral House Publishers (website www.feralhouse.com) which specialise in anti establishment.
Its distributer in the UK is Turnaround MD Bill Godber Tel: 0207 609 7836.
In late October the BBC received a copy of the book and in it Brady refuses to express remorse for his crimes. ‘To whom should I apologise and what difference would it make to anyone? You contain me in a concrete box and expect public confessions of remorse as well?’
Brady also claims the book can be used as a manual to track down serial killers.
The Victims of Crime Trust has objected to the publication of the book and called on bookshops not to sell it.
The Merseyside based charity Support After Murder & Manslaughter which counsels Brady’s victims families appealed on distributers and bookshops to boycott the book. ‘We fear it will interfere with families getting over the horrific crimes.’
In September Ashworth Hospital in Merseyside, where Brady is held, had a court injunction halting publication so it could be examined for breaching patient confidentiality. But the injunction was dropped when it was established there was no breach.