The Justice Secretary is facing demands to resign after victims of black cab rapist John Worboys accused of him of a “disgusting” attempt to avoid blame over the scandal.

David Gauke refused to apologise directly to the women for failings by his department identified by three High Court judges who yesterday overturned a decision to grant Worboys early release.

Instead, he forced the Parole Board chairman Nick Hardwick to resign after telling him his position was “untenable” - leading to claims that Mr Hardwick had been made a scapegoat.

Tory MPs and Mr Hardwick himself suggested Mr Gauke - who refused to challenge the Parole Board’s decision to free Worboys - should now consider his own position.

Two victims were forced to mount a crowd-funded legal challenge against Worboys’ release after Mr Gauke’s refusal to launch a judicial review, based on legal advice he had been given by a QC.