Posted: Wed 12th Jul 2023

Fight for Jade’s Law continues despite Parliamentary setback

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jul 12th, 2023

A campaign to honour the memory of a much-loved Shotton mother of four by enshrining a law to help others continues apace, despite the latest setback. 

Jade Ward was killed by her former husband Russell Marsh, father to her four boys.

Ever since his conviction, her parents along with their family friend Edwin Duggan started a petition to have the parental responsibility of a parent who is convicted of killing the other suspended. 

With the support of local MP Mark Tami, the campaign grew and has been taken on by the Labour Front Bench who are ensuring the issue stays on the Westminster agenda. 

The push for Jade’s Law has been making national headlines since 2022, with the story carried in The Mirror, The Daily Mail and most recently The Sun.

It has so far been successful in winning legal aid for parents like Jade’s who want to apply for a Special Guardianship Order for their grandchildren, but its main aim is yet to be realised. 

On Tuesday the UK Government doled out yet another setback to the campaign when they voted down amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill in the House of Commons.

At a hearing of the Public Bills Committee, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Prisons and Probation Ellie Reeves moved an amendment that would remove the parental rights of a parent who killed the other, at least for the duration of their time in detention. Unfortunately, The  UK Government voted against this amendment. 

“This latest blow by the Tory Government is disappointing but sadly not surprising,” said Mark Tami MP. 

“The next Labour Government will enact Jade’s Law. In the meantime, we’ll keep fighting, and the Labour Shadow Justice team is already making plans to raise this once again on the Commons floor after recess. 

“It’s the least we can do for Jade’s parents Karen and Paul, who continue to raise Jade’s sons while her evil killer is allowed to pull their strings from behind bars. It’s despicable, and we won’t rest until Jade’s Law is enacted.”

Spotted something? Got a story? Send a Facebook Message | A direct message on Twitter | Email: [email protected] Latest News

  • Job and Apprenticeship Fair in Flint Town Hall Today
  • Flintshire manufacturer appoints new directors to drive business
  • Ultra-processed food driving ‘diabetes epidemic,’ Senedd told

  • More...

    Job and Apprenticeship Fair in Flint Town Hall Today

    News

    Flintshire manufacturer appoints new directors to drive business

    News

    Ultra-processed food driving ‘diabetes epidemic,’ Senedd told

    News

    Two Flintshire schools receive national prizes for nature projects

    News

    Saltney: Petition launched to save St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School from closure

    News

    New NHS Dental Access Portal launched across Wales

    News

    Mark Drakeford rejects call to exempt children from tourism tax

    News

    “Who knows” if Police HQ will move as North Wales Police consider ‘wide range of options’

    News

    Careers Wales offers apprenticeship guidance in Flintshire

    News