Undated handout photo issued by Hertfordshire Police of Kyle Clifford. (Image: PA)
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has been slammed for her lack of action to limit access to deadly crossbows eight months on from the sickening murders of three women in their own home.
Former soldier Kyle Clifford was convicted of the rape of his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt, 25, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, at a trial he refused to attend on Thursday.
He had earlier pleaded guilty in January to her murder and that of her sister Hannah, 28, and their mother Carol, 61, the wife of racing commentator John Hunt.
Clifford, 26, carried out the horrific murders armed with a crossbow and knife in revenge for Louise splitting up with him 13 days earlier.
He was arrested after shooting himself with the crossbow, leaving him paralysed.
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A triple killer raped his ex-girlfriend in a “violent, sexual act of spite” (Image: )
The murders took place on July 9 last year, just five days after Ms Cooper became Home Secretary after the General Election.
In an immediate response, she vowed to carry out an urgent review of crossbow legislation. This was to include publishing the results of a call for evidence completed by the previous Tory government last April.
It looked at the potential of introducing a licensing regime for crossbow ownership, similar to that used for firearms.
But nothing has been published despite calls from the Sunday Express Crackdown on Crossbows campaign and Conservative MP Sir John Hayes, who has raised the issue in Parliament.
Sir John, MP for South Holland and the Deepings, in Lincolnshire, spoke of his shock that still nothing had been done and vowed to again raise it in the Commons this week.
He said: “It is alarming that nearly eight months after these terrible murders and despite a promise of action by the Government, we have not even seen the results of the call for evidence published.
“Having led the call for new legislation to restrict the ownership of crossbows and having seen the increase in their use in crime, including in these terrible murders, this week I will be urgently raising this with ministers in the Commons to ensure this is brought forward as a priority so action is taken to end the horror posed by these weapons.”
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BBC Racing Commentator John Hunt wife Carol Hunt (Image: Facebook)
The lack of action also angered former Met Police officer Chris John. He said: “As usual politicians make verbal promises then take no action.
“There is nothing to stop them introducing a simple amendment to existing laws using a statutory instrument, which could be done in weeks.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The murders of Carol Hunt, Hannah Hunt and Louise Hunt were a horrific and senseless act of violence. Our thoughts remain with all of their family, friends and loved ones following this devastating loss.
“While it is already illegal to carry a crossbow in public without reasonable excuse, we have been reviewing whether controls need to be strengthened further.
“We will publish our response to the call for evidence on strengthening the controls around crossbows shortly.”
The Sunday Express launched its campaign on July 7 last year, two days before the horrific triple murders carried out by Clifford. We exposed how it was possible to buy a potentially deadly crossbow online for as little as £50 simply by sending a picture of a driving licence.
We called for the Government to bring in a licensing scheme for crossbow owners to limit them being used for anything but sporting purposes.