Huntley is serving a double-life sentence at HMP Frankland in Co Durham for the murders of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002.

SOHAM killer Ian Huntley has been refused legal aid to sue after he was attacked in prison.

The 36-year-old had planned to use the taxpayer funded aid to help his claim for �20,000 in compensation after he had his throat slashed by a fellow inmate in March.

His request was turned down by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) on the grounds that it “did not satisfy the test for funding.”

He is expected to appeal the decision with the Special Controls Review Panel, based on claims that there had been a breach of duty by the prison service for allegedly failing to protect him from prisoner attacks.

Huntley is serving a double-life sentence at HMP Frankland in Co Durham for the murders of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002.

The families of the two school girls were awarded �11,000 compensation each by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority following Huntley’s trial.

An LSC spokesperson, said: “Ian Huntley has been refused funding to bring a claim of breach of duty against the prison authorities. The application did not satisfy the test for funding.

The spokesperson added that Huntley was entitled to appeal against the decision.

Back in August when the compensation claims came to light, the Ministry of Justice, then fronted by Labour’s Jack Straw, said it would “vigorously defend” Huntley’s claims.