Georgia Williams' killer will stay behind bars, says Gove

Mr Gove reassured Telford MP Lucy Allan that judges have the freedom to impose whole life orders for such crimes and this would not change under his ongoing review of the country's legal system.

Mr Gove is currently looking at cutting the number of judges and closing courts as part of his plans to improve what he has described as a "dysfunctional, creaking service".

He also told MPs that he is looking at the way prisoners are made to confront their offending.

"The historical record shows that, overall as a country, we have been very poor at reducing the rate of recidivism," he said.

"We need to ensure that, both in our prisons and afterwards, we have high-quality services provided by professionals who know how to change the behaviour of individuals who deserve a second chance."

But he assured Ms Allan that Reynolds – currently serving a whole life tariff for murdering 17-year-old Georgia at his home in Wellington two years ago – would not be included.

Ms Allan had asked for assurance that "rehabilitation will never be appropriate in cases such as the brutal murder of Telford teenager Georgia Williams."

Mr Gove replied: "Absolutely. May I emphasise that, with heinous crimes such as the appalling murder of Georgia Williams, judges have the freedom to impose whole-life orders. One was imposed on the killer in that terrible case."

Georgia's mother, Lynnette Williams, today praised Ms Allan for raising the issue in Parliament. And she described Mr Gove's response as "brilliant news".

"We think it is great that Lucy Allan is acting as our ambassador to ensure people who commit heinous crimes never get released," said Mrs Williams. "If Reynolds was released he would do it again. In court they told us he was one of the most dangerous men in Britain.

"I'm pleased that Michael Gove has the same stance as his predecessor.

"For us as victims, it allows us to try and get our lives in order without having to worry about Reynolds being released."

Mr Gove's plans to reform the judiciary are based partly on his view that a "two-nation" system has evolved, one which puts the poor at a disadvantage.

He has also called on successful lawyers who have made fortunes in the legal system to "invest in its roots" by offering more of their time free of charge - or "pro bono" - to disadvantaged clients.

He has also highlighted figures showing that almost one in five trials (17%) is recorded as "ineffective" because the hearing cannot go ahead on the day, often due to administrative problems.

Some 37% are "cracked" because the case concludes unexpectedly without a planned hearing, leaving just 46% deemed to be "effective".