Donald Neilson: The Black Panther

Successive Home Secretaries have upheld Neilson’s whole life tariff, and he has never sought to appeal his conviction.

In November 2002 the Home Secretary’s power to set minimum terms was removed by the European Court, so there remains the possibility that Donald Neilson, who is in good health, may become eligible for release in 2006 as he approaches his 70th birthday, having served a 30 year term.