THE Government has given domestic abusers an opportunity to “give another twist to the knife” for victims through planned changes to prison recall, Sir Desmond Swayne said.

The MP for New Forest West and former minister questioned justice minister Sir Nicholas Dakin on how the changes would impact victims of domestic abuse.

Under new emergency measures, some criminals serving sentences between one and four years will be returned to custody only for a fixed 28-day period.

Offenders are recalled to prison if they commit another offence or breach licence conditions, such as by missing probation appointments, when they are released early but remain on licence.

During an urgent question in the Commons, Sir Desmond said: “Given the nature of domestic abusers, many will welcome the opportunity to give another twist to the knife at a mere cost of 28 days.

“Hasn’t he just presented them with a practical opportunity?”

Sir Nicholas said getting things right for victims is “something we take very, very seriously and needs to be done very, very properly”.