Jade’s Law: Campaigners triumph as Government u-turns on parental responsibility laws

The parents who have bravely fought for a change in the law after their daughter’s murder are over the moon that they have finally won.

Karen Robinson and Paul Ward have been campaigning for a change in the law since Russell Marsh was convicted of brutally murdering their 27-year-old daughter Jade.

Jade, from Shotton, was his estranged wife and a mother to their four children.

She was stabbed and strangled in her Chevrons Road home by Marsh in 2021.

Working with friend Edwin Duggan, Karen and Paul and Jade’s sister Philippa have been campaigning to suspend the parental responsibility of a parent who kills the other parent.

This is to spare the guardians of the children left behind the ordeal of facing the perpetrator in court each time they want to take a decision about the children, from changing doctors to going on holiday which is the case under current law. 

Alyn and Deeside Labour MP Mark Tami has been supporting the campaign group since May 2022.

Mr Tami introduced the family to then Shadow Minister for Prisons and Probation and Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding Jess Phillips in June 2022.

In November 2022 he led the debate on the petition in the House of Commons and met with the Ministry of Justice to push the matter.

Mr Tami also secured a pledge from the Labour front bench that a Labour Government would enact Jade’s Law.

In May this year the Shadow Justice team pushed for amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill to include enacting Jade’s Law.

Despite the tireless campaigning, the UK Conservative Government maintained that it was too difficult to implement Jade’s Law.

Today, they announced a staggering but welcome u-turn at their party conference.

“I’m delighted that the Government has finally changed their mind despite telling me for so long that it couldn’t be done,” said Mark Tami.

“I’d like to pay tribute to Karen, Paul and Philippa for the bravery and tenacity they have shown in a very tough situation. I’d also like to thank Edwin Duggan for his tireless work.

“We need to see the detail behind the announcement, but if all goes well and Jade’s Law is enacted this year then Karen and Paul will finally be spared the indignity and trauma of having to face Russell Ward. Their selflessness will help other families in the future.”

Edwin Duggan – who started a petition that garnered 130,179 signatures – speaks for Karen, he said:

“We’re extremely pleased that all the hard work has paid off. This is testament to the team that started the petition last year, to Mark Tami and his caseworker Laura, to Jess Phillips and Ellie Reeves who’ve all had a hand in getting this pushed through.

“We’ve gone through meetings and debates and we’re over the moon that eventually, through grit, determination and tenacity, we’re going to get what we asked for.

“Thank you to those who signed the petition. Everyone involved should be pleased with the outcome.

“When this goes through, I know it will save lives. Families in the future will not have to go through what Karen and Paul have.”