Ken Clarke should stand down as Justice Secretary

Justice secretary Ken Clarke should step down from his role. His bizarre ideas and notions are putting our children at risk from sexual predators.

THOUSANDS of child sex beasts will be able to hide their horrific crimes under plans put forward by Ken Clarke.

The soft-touch Justice Secretary wants to change the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act to let more serious criminals wipe the slate clean.

Anyone jailed for between 30 months and four years will have their offences struck from their criminal record after seven years.

Those currently jailed for more than 30 months have it on their record until they die. It means they have to alert potential employers when they apply for a job.

Figures seen by The Sun show if Mr Clarke's measures had been in place between 2000 and 2010, 3,794 child sex beasts would have been able to take advantage of it.

It would also have helped 11,684 violent criminals and nearly 1,000 other sex attackers.

Labour, who uncovered the figures, have vowed to fight the controversial change.

Shadow justice minister Andy Slaughter said: "It is proportionate that once non-violent offenders have served their time and kept on the straight and narrow for a few years, they should be redeemed in the eyes of the law and society.

"But Ken Clarke has continually shown he has no idea about public safety and how to deal with dangerous offenders."

Campaigners last night voiced their concerns at the reforms.

Jim Maddan, chairman of the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network, said: "Everybody has the right to have a fresh start.

"But there comes a time when the public needs protecting, particularly when they have committed these types of offences. It would be wrong for employers not to know about who they are employing, particularly if a job gives access to people's homes."

A Ministry of Justice spokesman insisted public protection was "top priority".

He added: "Anyone applying to work with children and vulnerable people will always have to declare any convictions.

"Anyone who receives more than four years will have to reveal their record to employers.Other offenders will have to declare their record for up to seven years after their sentence ends."

This is wrong we have a right to protect our children and you Mr Clarke are putting them in danger and stopping us from doing our jobs. we are sick of sexual predators having more rights than the victim. NO MORE!