Evidence linking a convicted murderer to the unsolved murder of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh will be examined as part of his bid for parole.

Killer John Cannan, 68, has now served his minimum 35 years for the 1987 murder of newlywed Shirley Banks and is due before a panel next month.

The Parole Board is obliged to consider allegations that have not resulted in prosecution for the inmate if they find a factual basis for them.

In 2002 police took the highly unusual step of naming Cannan as the man who killed Suzy after the Crown Prosecution Service ruled there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him.

Lamplugh went missing aged 25 in 1986 after going to meet a man called “Mr Kipper” to show him a house in Fulham, South West London. Cannan is said to have used the name Kipper in jail and resembles a photofit of a man seen with the estate agent on the day she vanished.

He has been interviewed about Lamplugh on several occasions but has always denied involvement to the police.

Police believe they presented a “strong circumstantial” case to the CPS but the decision not to prosecute followed a review by specialists at the Treasury Counsel.

But while the CPS must prove a case beyond reasonable doubt, the Parole Board evidential test threshold is lower, resting on the balance of probabilities. Ex-Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent Jim Dickie said: “The Parole Board would be taking a big risk if they clear Cannan for release back into the community.

“If he gets the opportunity to offend again he will take it. He has a horrendous profile of offending over 40 years.”

Evidence linking the killer to Lamplugh’s murder will be included in a dossier for the Parole Board to consider.

He is serving three life terms for the 1987 murder, the attempted kidnap of a businesswoman and a rape. A whole-life term was replaced by a 35-year minimum which ended this month.

If his bid for a move to open conditions is successful, it would pave the way for his release in around 18 months.

The Parole Board said: “Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public.”