Robert Buckland

Pitchfork, who is now in his 60s, was jailed for life after strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire in 1983 and 1986.

Shadow justice secretary David Lammy accused Mr Buckland of shedding ‘crocodile tears’.

The number of criminal cases waiting to be heard at crown courts is at its highest in a year and could have “major consequences” for victims and witnesses.