Ian Huntley to be cremated with no funeral before ashes are scattered in secret location

He was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where he died on March 7.

His family has declined a government-funded funeral out of respect for the families of his victims, The Sun revealed.

Justice minister Sarah Sackman had earlier said the Government would not cover the £3,000 cost of a funeral.

She told LBC that Huntley did not deserve anything "more than the absolute bare minimum".

"We’re not spending £3,000. That’s the maximum in our policy that it affords.," Ms Sackman added.

Under Ministry of Justice rules, up to £3,000 of public money can be used to fund a basic funeral for prisoners who die in custody.

The payment is made directly to a funeral director and is limited to essential costs, including a simple coffin, hearse, and cremation or burial fees.

The location of Huntley’s ashes will be kept secret over fears of reprisals, a source said.

Anthony Russell, 43, has been charged with his murder.

Huntley was attacked in a prison workshop and taken to hospital by two ambulances and an air ambulance.

He was placed in an induced coma and given a five per cent chance of survival.

He underwent surgery for a severe head wound, followed by a second operation on his broken jaw, while doctors monitored for brain activity.

His mother, Lydia Richards, 71, visited him shortly before his death at around 8.45am on March 7.

Russell appeared at Teesside Crown Court earlier this month and is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on April 24 for a pre-trial hearing.

A full inquest into Huntley’s death will take place once criminal proceedings conclude.

Huntley had been serving a life sentence since 2002 for the murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

The two girls were killed after leaving a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire.

Their bodies were discovered near RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk 13 days after they went missing.