Andrews originally claimed Mr Harvey, who she lived with in Alvechurch, Worcestershire, had been killed by a road rage attacker as they drove home from a pub.

But it later emerged that she had repeatedly stabbed the 25-year-old to death, cutting his throat and stabbing him 37 times with a penknife from Mr Harvey’s glove compartment.

She was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years, but could released as early as 2011 as she has already started the process of being moved to an open prison.

Last week Andrews was taken by taxi to the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford, Two days later she was spotted outside in a wheelchair.

She has put on weight and is now sporting red hair.

Witnesses claimed she was not handcuffed and at times was left on her own while a prison guard walked up to 100 yards from her to make a phone call.

“She could get out in 2011,” claimed Ray.

But he added: “If I get my way she will never get out. We’ve fought it for years. We are absolutely appalled by the whole system. The system lets us down time and time again.

“I’m 65 next week. I’m a pensioner, my wife’s a pensioner. We’re not looking for sympathy, We are just asking for the same help as she’s had.”

Ray said he and Maureen were forced to close their hairdressing business in Kings Heath High Street because they were sick of the public attention.

“We can’t bring Lee back and we will never be able to rebuild our lives,” he said.

Matthew Sinclair, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “It should be very rare that cosmetic surgery is paid for with taxpayers’ money through the NHS, that is supposed to be used to treat the sick and injured.

“Ordinary taxpayers would be horrified to learn that they are paying thousands of pounds for cosmetic surgery for a convicted murderer. It should never have been allowed.”

In a statement a Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “We do not comment on the healthcare of individual prisoners.

“The need for medical treatment is a decision made by medical professionals and is the same treatment including remedial work as would be available in the community.”