Questions about how a ten-year-old boy was raped and abducted by a convicted murderer free on licence will be answered within days.

Stephen Ayre, 44, was released early from prison after serving 20 years of a 25-year life sentence for the murder of a Shipley woman in 1984.

In February he carried out the heinous crime on the ten-year-old to get back behind bars where he will now spend the rest of his life.

Last night a private meeting was held between Home Office minister and Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, Shipley MP Philip Davies and senior figures from West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Probation Service.

Speaking exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus Mr Sutcliffe said he would answer the questions put forward to him about the case by Mr Davies within days.

Mr Sutcliffe is studying a report compiled by the probation service into how it handled Ayre who was under its supervision once released from prison.

But he said he was not in a position to comment further.

Mr Davies said at the meeting four main questions needed to be answered.

"What was Ayre doing out of prison and on the streets in the first place?" he said afterwards.

"Along with that we need to know what mechanisms should have been in place to stop Ayre reoffending, what went wrong and what will be done differently not only by West Yorkshire probation service but the probation service as a whole to ensure this does not happen again."

Mr Sutcliffe is examining the internal report these are not usually made public to see what could be revealed but he said the answers to Mr Davies's questions would be forthcoming "imminently".

Mr Davies added: "The meeting was beneficial and I made it clear people will only be satisfied when they have answers. It is perfectly clear Gerry knows people need to understand what went wrong and reassure the public it will not happen again.

"I know Gerry wants to give the answers in his role as Bradford MP and should be commended on what he is doing.

"Everyone in the meeting acknowledged what happened was tragic but we need assurances that safeguards are put in place. It is absolutely crucial people are told what will be done differently and what lessons have been learnt.

"I await the answers later this week."

The probation service was reluctant to speak about the case, according to the MP. However the final decision to release the details of the report lies with Mr Sutcliffe.

The newly-appointed Home Office minister who was promoted in Prime Minister Tony Blair's reshuffle in May asked officials to give him the answers everyone has been demanding.

The T&A has repeatedly called on Home Secretary John Reid and his predecessor Charles Clarke to provide answers and for West Yorkshire Probation Service to be held accountable but the plea until the promise by Mr Sutcliffe had fallen on deaf ears.

Mr Sutcliffe said he would meet with the T&A, district MPs and the boy's family.

Normally, the Home Office does not comment on individual cases but Mr Sutcliffe said given the "severity" of the case it was a "priority".

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