The brother of a man murdered by fugitive former royal aide Jane Andrews has said Jack Straw should consider resigning after she fled an open prison.

Rick Cressman, 58, said it was due to "complete and utter incompetence" in the Justice Secretary's department that Andrews was at large.

He insisted she should have been in a higher security prison for bludgeoning and stabbing his brother Tom Cressman after he refused to marry her.

Andrews, 42, the Duchess of York's former dresser, failed to return to East Sutton Park prison near Maidstone, Kent, on Sunday night.

Jane Andrews (left) was a close aide to Sarah, Duchess of York Full Image

She had been moved there on November 18 and took a paracetamol overdose last week for which she needed hospital treatment.

Mr Cressman, the owner of a hotel near Solihull, said closer attention should have been paid to her when she returned.

He said: "Andrews should never have been placed in an open prison in the first place. She has never shown any remorse to my family at all. Someone who has killed someone and shown themselves to be so devious and manipulative should never have been allowed to be in an open prison.

"When she's in an open prison she then supposedly tries to commit suicide by taking an overdose, yet when she's back she doesn't appear to have been given any special attention. It's disgraceful. I think if I was Jack Straw I would be thinking of resigning. It's complete and utter incompetence that she is on the streets. I'm sure I'll find the time to write a note to Mr Straw telling him what a pathetic and incompetent department he is running if they cannot even look after one lady murderer who shouldn't have been in an open prison."

Kent Police launched a hunt for Andrews after she was last seen at 7pm on Sunday. Assistant Chief Constable Andy Adams said there was nothing to suggest she posed a threat to the public but reminded people that she was convicted of murder.

He said: "We are becoming increasingly concerned for Jane's welfare and would urge anyone who has any information that will help us locate her safe and well to come forward."