It rejected her appeal against a decision by the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, not to release her even though she has been in jail for 31 years.

But Hindley's lawyers were given permission to challenge the ruling in a higher court.

The decision is a victory for campaigners who have organised petitions calling for Hindley never to be let out.

Durham jail where Hindley is being held

They include Ann West, the mother of Lesley Ann Downey who was a victim of the moors murders.

Lord Bingham, the Lord Chief Justice, and two senior judges ruled the Home Secretary and his predecessor, Conservative Michael Howard, were legally entitled to decide Hindley should never be released.

Hindley, 55, was jailed in 1966 as Ian Brady's co-accused in the murders of Lesley Ann Downey, 10, and Edward Evans, 17.

Lord Bingham said: "The decisions of Mr Howard on February 3 and Mr Straw on November 19 were not in my judgement unlawful. Neither decision is vitiated by lack of reasons."