Former captain’s bid for freedom blocked despite claims of “political motivation

A former British Airways captain, Robert Brown, infamous for bludgeoning his wife Joanna Simpson to death with a claw hammer, has been denied parole. Brown’s horrific crime, which took place on Halloween 2010, shocked the nation and was recently featured in a two-part ITV documentary titled “The British Airways Killer.”

Brown, now serving a 26-year sentence, had hoped for automatic release halfway through his term but faced opposition from Justice Secretary Alex Chalk. Chalk, invoking new powers, referred Brown’s case to the Parole Board, citing concerns over public safety.

Despite Brown’s legal team arguing that the referral was politically motivated and that his risk level had not increased, the court dismissed his bid for freedom. Brown, who was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, claimed stress from his divorce and feeling “stitched up” by a prenuptial agreement contributed to his actions.

Joanna Simpson’s family, who have been vocal in their opposition to Brown’s release, expressed relief at the decision. Simpson’s mother, Diana Parkes, was awarded a CBE for her advocacy work supporting vulnerable children affected by domestic abuse and homicide.

The case highlights the complexities of parole decisions and the need for thorough risk assessments to ensure public safety. Brown’s bid for freedom has been halted, but the impact of his crime continues to reverberate through the lives of those affected