NATS ministers provoked fury over proposals to free prisoners after they serve just a third of their sentence.

The controversial move is mooted in a new public consultation on jail reform.

It also suggests government chiefs will give themselves “executive” powers to “direct the release” of some prisoners in “exceptional circumstances”.

But the Scots Tories branded the plans reckless and claim they would render prison terms imposed by courts “meaningless”.

The party’s justice spokesman, Jamie Greene, said: “Ministers are intent on letting rapists and killers back on our streets after serving only a small fraction of their sentence.