A convicted killer who used a narwhal tusk to help bring down Fishmongers' Hall terrorist Usman Khan during his London Bridge rampage has been directed for early release from prison.
Steven Gallant, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years in 2005 for the murder of a firefighter in Hull, was one of three men who restrained Khan until armed police arrived at the scene and shot the 28-year-old jihadist dead in November 2019.
Khan, who had two large knives and a fake suicide belt, fatally stabbed Cambridge graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, and injured three other people before running on to London Bridge.
Giving evidence at the inquest in April this year into the victims' deaths, Mr Gallant said he 'whacked' Khan with a narwhal tusk but was empty-handed by the time of the battle on the bridge.
A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Steven Gallant following an oral hearing. 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.
Steven Gallant, 43, chased and helped pin down jihadist knifeman Usman Khan during the 2019 terror incident. Pictured with London Bridge victim Jack Merritt
Undated handout file photo issued by West Midlands Police of Usman Khan
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook from a video of Steven Gallant wielding a narwhal tusk which was shown during the inquest into the terror attack at the Fishmongers' Hall in London
Handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police that was shown to the jury in the inquest into the death of Fishmongers' Hall terrorist Usman Khan at the Guildhall
The terrorist killed graduates Jack Merritt (pictured left) and Saskia Jones (pictured right) at the event in Fishmonger's Hall before running out on to London Bridge
'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.'
The decision on release is provisional for 21 days subject to any appeal by the Justice Secretary.
Mr Gallant had been on day release at the event for reformed prisoners in Fishmongers' Hall when he helped end Khan's rampage. His actions on the day later saw his sentence cut following an intervention by the Queen.
The Ministry of Justice revealed in October that the monarch had employed the little-used 'Royal Prerogative of Mercy' to bring Mr Gallant's case before the Parole Board 10 months early.
It was considered at a remote oral hearing on June 21, during which Mr Gallant gave evidence.
Gallant (pictured) was part of a gang who attacked firefighter Mr Jackson after he was cleared of the alleged attempted murder of a prostitute in Hull
In a summary of the Parole Board's decision, it said the panel had recognised his conduct during the Fishmongers' Hall incident but 'was clear
