Prisoner Charles Bronson asks for public Parole Board hearing under new rules

Reforms allow case reviews to be opened to prisoners' victims and the press for greater scrutiny of process

Charles Bronson, one of the UK's longest serving and most notorious prisoners, has become the first inmate to formally ask for his next Parole Board hearing to be heard in public after new rules came into force on Thursday in an attempt to remove the secrecy behind the process.

The Parole Board said a request for the 70-year-old's case to be heard in public has been received and will be considered. It is understood the application was made on his behalf.