A cabinet minister has urged Justice Secretary Alex Chalke not to release a murderer diagnosed with terminal cancer after his victim’s family were told he might be released on compassionate grounds.

In 1996, Victor Farrant, now in his 70s, brutally placed his ex-girlfriend Gloria Hoskins, 43, in a bathtub in Portsmouth Killed her.

Just six weeks before her death, he attacked another woman at her home in Eastleigh, Hampshire, and had previously been jailed for 12 years for rape and other offences.

After he was arrested during a chase in southern France, a judge at Winchester Crown Court told him: “This murder was so horrific and you were so dangerous that in your case he was sentenced to life Imprisonment.” That’s what life imprisonment should mean. “

However, in February this year probation officers told Mrs Hoskins’ family that Farrant was being considered for release on health grounds and asked if they wished to add a restricted area to the terms of his license.

Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordant supported the Farrant family’s campaign to keep Farrant in prison, arguing he had shown no remorse for his crimes.

She wrote to Mr Chalk: “Mr Farrant should never be released. He is a danger to women and has proven time and again that he cannot be reformed.

“I am deeply troubled that someone like Mr Farrant is being considered for release on the basis of his compassion when he clearly showed no compassion for his victims.”

In a letter to the multi-agency public protection team, Mrs Hoskins’ son Ian said his “blood boils” at the thought of Farrant being released on compassionate release.

“Our mother was murdered and suffered months of terror and stalking, haunted by this evil creature – where was her compassion?” he said.

Her family added: “Victor Farrant was an extremely dangerous man with a hatred of women – if he was ill and dying then I fear that would make him even more dangerous.”

“If he knew he only had a few months to live, what would he have to lose by killing/raping again.”

After Wednesday’s MAPPA meeting, the case will be presented to Mr Chalk, who will approve or reject the application for early release from prison.

“Glenda Hoskins’ murder was a horrific crime and our thoughts are with her family and friends,” a Department of Justice spokesperson said in a previous statement.

“Prisoners will only be released on compassionate grounds in exceptional circumstances following a rigorous risk assessment and no formal application has been made in this case.”