Draconian block on Michael Steele talking to the press part of his release conditions

Convicted triple killer Michael Steele (above right) will be prevented from giving media interviews, despite protesting his innocence, once he is finally released from prison.

Steele, 82, is finally set to be released after an attempt by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to block it failed.

He was cleared for release by the Parole Board in February, but she lodged an application to try to overturn the decision within days branding the decision as "legally irrational".

A Parole Board spokesman said Ms Mahmood's reconsideration application had been refused.

He said: "Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."

Steele was one of two men convicted of the notorious Essex Boys murders in 1998 after three drug dealers were found shot dead inside a Range Rover on an isolated farm track near Basildon.

Drug dealers Pat Tate, 37, Tony Tucker, 38, who acted as security for boxer Nigel Benn, and Craig Rolfe, 26, were found dead by farmers in the vehicle on the snowy track at Rettendon on the morning of December 7 1995.

It is believed they were blasted with shotguns by Steele and Jack Whomes, 63, (top left) the night before in a row over a drugs deal.

The discovery of the gangster's bodies was less than three weeks after the death of Leah Betts, 18, who took an ecstasy pill from a bad batch believed to have been supplied by the three victims, sparking national outrage.

An image of her laying in intensive care was released by her policeman father Paul Betts as a deterrent to other youngsters.

The shocking gangland murders spawned a series of gangster flicks started by the 2000 film Essex Boys, which starred Sean Bean, and the Rise of the Footsoldier movies.

Steele and Whomes (top left) were convicted in 1998 of the grisly murders, but have always protested their innocence.

They were given life with a minimum term of 23 years after being found guilty at the Old Bailey.

Whomes was released in early 2021 and has given no media interviews to protest his innocence, down to strict licence conditions which prevent this, according to supporters.

Although the Ministry of Justice refused to confirm this was a condition of his licence.

In Steele's case it has been officially revealed to be a draconian condition of his release.

After Steele's Parole Board hearing, which was adjourned several times, concluded on November 12 last year, a summary of its findings published in March said that he was fit for release.

The summary said: "Evidence was presented at the hearings regarding Mr Steele’s progress and custodial conduct during this sentence. His behaviour in prison had shown a marked improvement and "Mr Steele had been engaging more closely with those supervising him. None of the witnesses considered that his risks would be imminent if Mr Steele was released to the community at this stage. His probation officer and the official supervising his case in prison were concerned that Mr Steele had accessed no formal risk-reduction interventions while in prison.

"He had not been assessed as suitable for accredited programmes, partly through lack of need and partly because he had maintained his innocence of involvement in the murders. Mr Steele had, however, more recently participated in a motivational training course and had had the benefit of educational and vocational services.

"The psychologist witness who was employed by the prison service remained concerned about the level of insight demonstrated by Mr Steele and aspects of his style of thinking, including his preparedness to desist from involvement with drugs. However, the psychologist commissioned by Mr Steele’s legal team advised that there were no evident risk areas remaining active and that currently assessed risk levels were minimal."

He will be subject to strict limitation on the outside including a designated accommodation and restrictions on his contacts, including with the media.

He must also "be of good behaviour", disclose financial details and any business-related matters, surrender his passport, and to report as required for supervision or other appointments.

Steele will also be subject to an enhanced form of supervision or monitoring including signing-in times, electronic tagging and a specified curfew.

There will be limitations concerning named contacts, his activities and residency, and exclusion conditions to avoid contact with victims and prevent access to firearms.

He must also meet specified restrictions relating to the use of electronic technology and contact with the media or other publications and not to own a boat, airplane or firearm.