Serial killer Levi Belfield can no longer enter into a civil partnership due to a new law banning felons from marrying in prison.
Belfield is serving a life sentence for the murders of Milly Dowler, Marcia McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy.
He is believed to have recently submitted an application for a civil partnership, which is thought to have prompted the Government to introduce the restrictions announced earlier on Friday.
Ms Belfield had previously applied to marry her boyfriend and sought legal help to challenge the decision to block the marriage.
The Sun reported at the time that he was granted legal aid of up to £30,000, with lawyers citing the European Convention on Human Rights and the Marriage Act 1983.
He withdrew his application to marry but is believed to have submitted a new application for a civil partnership in recent months.
The Ministry of Justice said the new laws, which are part of the Victims and Prisoners Act, aim to “stop the most heinous criminals from enjoying important events in the lives they have callously taken from their victims”.
This applies to those serving life sentences.
Previously, such prisoners could make formal applications for marriage or civil partnerships, only for prison governors to refuse, citing safety concerns.
Lord Chancellor and Attorney General Shabana Mahmood said: “No victim should have to suffer watching those who commit the most despicable crimes enjoy moments of life that were stolen from their loved ones.”
“That’s why I acted as quickly as possible to stop these marriages and give victims the support they deserve.”
The Ministry of Justice said the Lord Chancellor retains the right to authorise ceremonies in the most exceptional circumstances.
Belfield was given life sentences for the 2003 murders of McDonnell, 19, and Delagrange, 22, and the attempted murder of Sheedy, 18, in 2004.
He was already serving a sentence when he went on trial for the murder of 13-year-old Millie, who was abducted in the street on her way home from school in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002.
Belfield was convicted of abducting and murdering her at a trial at the Old Bailey in 2011.
