Roshonara Choudhry to Be Released After Attempted Murder of MP Sir Stephen Timms

Roshonara Choudhry, a former university student who tried to murder Labour MP Sir Stephen Timms in a terrorist attack, has been approved for release from prison, according to a decision by the Parole Board.

Choudhry was 21 years old in May 2010 when she stabbed Sir Stephen twice in the stomach at a constituency surgery at the Beckton Globe community centre in east London. The former King's College London student had pretended she was going to shake the MP’s hand before launching the attack.She was subsequently convicted of attempted murder and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon. She was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years. 

Now aged 36, Choudhry appeared before a Parole Board panel on May 20, 2025. The board concluded that she no longer posed a threat to public safety and could be released on licence.

In its decision summary, the panel said: “After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing and in the dossier, the panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public.”

At the time of her offence, Choudhry had a range of risk factors, including strained family relationships, the development of extreme worldviews, and a readiness to use violence to address perceived injustices. However, since her incarceration, she has participated in programmes designed to help her understand and move away from extremist ideologies. Her behaviour in prison has been described as “exemplary.”

The summary noted: “Ms Choudhry was assessed as having shown a very high level of insight and understanding of herself. She had consistently shown over many years that she no longer held the same beliefs, that she was able to manage her emotional wellbeing effectively and she would no longer be likely to be influenced by other people with strong negative views, having developed the ability to critically evaluate information and to seek help from professionals if she needs it.”

No victim impact statement from Sir Stephen was submitted to the panel, and the Justice Secretary did not make any formal representations against her release.

Choudhry’s release will be subject to strict conditions, including residing at an approved address, adhering to a curfew, and staying away from certain areas to avoid any potential contact with Sir Stephen Timms.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board emphasized that their decisions are based solely on risk: “Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”