Killer dads could have parental rights taken away under new laws, ministers reveal
KILLER dads could have their parental rights taken away under new laws, ministers said last night.
In a huge win for Jade’s Law, the Ministry of Justice will look at making sure parents who kill their partner have no say over their child’s life.
But the change won’t come immediately – as officials want to take time to “get it right”.
Justice Minister Ed Argar said he sympathised with the parents of Jade Ward, 27, murdered by ex Russell Marsh as their four sons slept in Shotton, Flintshire, in 2021.
Marsh, jailed for 25 years, is still able to access the boys’ medical details and can block them from holding a passport.
The Sun has been campaigning to close the loophole and end the injustice of control from behind bars.
Labour last night tabled an amendment to the government’s Victims’ Bill, which would see killer dads automatically stripped of parental responsibility.
But Mr Argar said the amendment could leave kids unprotected and vulnerable under human rights laws.
Ministers vowed to come forward with their own plans for a case-by-case approach, rather than a blanket ban, and without “perverse or unintended consequences”.
And they want to ensure there are specific exemptions for cases of parents who kill after domestic abuse cases, or are convicted on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Mr Argar said: “We don’t believe this new clause as currently proposed is the right route to remedy this situation.
“Decisions made in the family court should always be in the best interest of the child.
“We all have a huge amount of sympathy for families in these circumstances and want to do as much as possible.
“Not voting for the amendment would be a vote for taking time to get it right.”
But Labour’s Shadow Justice Minister Ellie Reeves hit out last night, saying the government “have failed yet again to act”.
She said: “They could have voted to end parental rights for those who kill the mother of their children. But instead, Rishi Sunak has allowed this sickening situation to continue.
“Labour will end this vile practice and protect children.”