The Belfast Telegraph has claimed victory in its campaign for an end to 50 per cent remission for dangerous sex offenders.

The Government has said it will scrap the controversial policy, and instead introduce new legislation which will mean dangerous offenders are kept behind bars at least until the end of their sentence and potentially for the rest of their lives.

Instead of all prisoners being entitled to automatic release in Northern Ireland they will be assessed and their suitability for release reviewed by a parole board-type organisation, similar to that implemented in England and Wales.

It follows a six-month campaign by the Telegraph which saw it deliver a 33,000-name petition to Downing Street.

News editor Paul Connolly and reporter Deborah McAleese travelled to London as part of the paper’s Justice For Attracta campaign, which was launched after it emerged that local woman Attracta Harron had been killed by a convicted rapist who was on early release from prison.

Belfast Telegraph editor Martin Lindsay said: “Together – we have, at long last, achieved Justice For Attracta.”

Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson said the Government had been looking at removing 50 per cent remission for a number of years.

He said: “I give credit to the Belfast Telegraph and the campaign with regard to the issues that it raised following the murder of Attracta Harron, because that has raised the matter in public consciousness.

“It has given a strong lead on a public debate.

“The protection of the public is the first duty of the criminal justice system.”