[Cyclefrance]

The Home Office and Home Secretary (John Reid) are this week's main punch-bag.

A recent life sentence for a sex attacker, who abducted and sexually assaulted a 3-year old girl, could end up as short as 5 years. Reid was criticised in turn for criticising the judge fwho handed out such a lenient sentence - but it turns out that the reduction to 5 years is only made possible because of legislation passed by the government last year.

Now today it has been revealed that a total of 53 'lifers' convicted since year 2000 (out of a total of around 500 in all) have already been released.

Another nightmare scenario for Mr Reid....