A gang ringleader who kicked a man to death after he confronted the group when they vandalised his wife's car has been blocked from being transferred to open prison.
Adam Swellings, was sentenced to at least 17 years behind bars for the killing of Gary Newlove in 2008.
Swellings, who was 19 at the time of the killing, was convicted of murder alongside two other teens, aged 17 and 16.
He had been recommended for the move by the Parole Board, but this was blocked by Justice Secretary Dominic Raab.
Mr Newlove, husband of former victims' commissioner Dame Helen Newlove, was attacked outside his home in Warrington, Cheshire, on August 10, 2007.
A source told The Daily Telegraph : "The deputy Prime Minister [Mr Raab] has blocked Swellings's move to open prison.
"He wants the parole board to take a more precautionary approach to protect the public and is bringing in reforms to keep dangerous offenders behind bars."
Dame Helen said: "He was given a tariff and he should serve that tariff [which extends to 2024] - how do you justify giving him a second chance?"
Earlier this year Mr Raab took control of deciding whether high-risk offenders can be transferred to open prison.
Previously justice service officials were responsible for making such decisions.
Swellings appealed against his conviction and sentence, but these were turned down.
