Westminster's spotlight has fallen on the decision to release murderer Jordan Davidson just days before he committed the brutal killing of former Tarporley businessman Nicholas Churton.

The actions of North Wales Police, including the force's failure to privately brief Wrexham MP Ian Lucas into the circumstances which led to the death of 67-year-old Mr Churton, have been debated at parliament.

Mr Lucas described the refusal to meet him to discuss Mr Churton's murder was 'unacceptable and disrespectful', the Daily Post reports.

Davidson beat and stabbed Mr Churton to death in March last year, and was jailed for life this year.

Just days before the killing he was caught with a knife while out on licence from prison for a previous offence.

Police had also been made aware of threats Davidson made towards Mr Churton prior to his death.

An investigation by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) into the force’s interactions with the murdered former wine bar owner was set up after his death.

However, after pressure from Mr Lucas the IOPC started a second inquiry, this time to establish why Davidson had not been recalled to prison despite three interactions with police before the murder.

During the debate, Mr Lucas said: “I contacted North Wales Police, and, as the MP for Wrexham where most of the offences had been committed, and as MP for the town, asked for a private briefing.

“The Chief Constable told me that this was not possible because the Independent Office of Police Conduct had started an inquiry into the case, and that inquiry was at that time addressing the issue of why the police had not responded adequately to Mr Churton’s complaints about Mr Davidson, before the attack.

“I made clear that I was concerned about the extraordinary decision to release Davidson from police custody, when he was arrested for the possession of an offensive weapon, and asked why this had happened, despite Davidson’s long criminal history.

“I wanted, in particular, to understand the role of the Community Rehabilitation Company and the probation services, who were dealing with this prisoner on licence, to ensure that adequate systems were in place to protect my constituents.

“Despite this, the police would not meet me. I think this approach is unacceptable and is disrespectful of the role of a local MP.”

Mr Lucas went on to criticise the use of a private rehabilitation company - used to manage low to medium risk offenders - to supervise Davidson.

Last week a Justice Select Committee’s report criticised splitting offenders between the probation service and a private company, saying it failed to “recognise the risk of harm an individual poses over time”.

It also raised concerns about data sharing across the criminal justice system.

Mr Lucas, who praised the work of the Daily Post in highlighting how Davidson had been freed to kill Mr Churton, told Parliament the responsibility for the system which allowed him to kill lay with the Secretary of State for Justice.

He added: “The position is, in short, a mess which had appalling consequences and which demands clear answers and acceptance of responsibility by the then Secretary of State, by the police and by the bodies tasked with probation and protecting the public.

“Only in this way can the public be confident that this dreadful case will not recur.”