The family of Jade Ward say they are devastated that the law passed in her name is still not being used
The family of a murdered mother have said they are “shocked and upset” that a law designed to remove parental rights from killers has still not been implemented, despite being passed by Parliament more than 18 months ago.
Jade’s Law was campaigned for by the family of Jade Ward, who was 27 when she was murdered in 2021 by her former partner, Russell Marsh. The legislation is intended to strip parental responsibility from anyone convicted of murdering or committing voluntary manslaughter against a person with whom they share children.
Jade’s parents, Karen Robinson and Paul Ward, said they began campaigning for a change in the law after learning that Marsh, who is serving a life sentence, retained parental rights over their four grandchildren. From prison, he was able to request photographs and school reports, something the family said caused further distress.
Embed from Getty Images
More than 130,000 people signed a petition backing the proposed reform. In May 2024, section 18 of the Victim and Prisoners Act 2024 – known as Jade’s Law was passed shortly before the general election. At the time, the UK government said the law would protect children by preventing killers from unduly influencing their lives.
However, Jade’s family have now discovered that the law remains dormant and is not yet being applied by the courts.
Ms Robinson said the family believed the law had already been helping families like theirs since it was passed. Learning that further administrative steps were still required left her feeling “really disappointed”.
“We all worked so hard, mentally, emotionally,” she said of the campaign. “We were so proud of everyone. I thought no other family would have to go through what we’ve had to do.”
Mr Ward said he was “shocked and upset” to learn about the delay. He said Marsh had shown “no remorse” and felt his attempts to stay involved in the children’s lives were a way of trying to “get one over on the family”.
Jade, who was from Shotton in Flintshire, was stabbed and strangled by Marsh while their four children slept in nearby rooms. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022.
Family friend and campaigner Edwin Duggan, who helped write the framework for Jade’s Law, said he was “distraught and angry” after being told by another family that they could not apply the law because the necessary statutory instruments had not yet been put in place. He has written an open letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy urging action.
“The more signatures that I can raise on the open letter, the more weight it adds,” he said. “We will not let things rest until it’s implemented properly.”
In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said its “deepest sympathies” were with victims’ families and that it was “committed to implementing Jade’s Law as swiftly and safely as possible”. It said it was working with partners, including local authorities and the Crown Prosecution Service, to ensure the correct systems were in place.
More than four years after their daughter’s death, Jade’s parents said they simply wanted the law passed in her name to begin working as intended. “We’re tired,” Mr Ward said. “We just want Jade to rest.”
Source: BBC