There is still time to back a petition set up by Deeside campaigners to automatically suspend the parental responsibility of a parent who kills the other one ahead of a debate in Parliament.
The petition, which at the time of writing has a staggering 130,101 signatures, was set up in the aftermath of the murder of much-loved Jade Ward.
Jade was just 27 and from Chevrons Road, Shotton, when she was brutally killed by her estranged husband Russell Marsh. Since his sentencing, Jade’s family and friends have been campaigning to automatically suspend the parental responsibility of a parent who kills the other one.
READ MORE: New petition launched calling on law change following murder of Deeside mum-of-four
Jade’s family now care for her four sons and want to save themselves and others in the same situation from the ordeal of confronting their daughter’s killer in a court hearing each time big decisions need to be made about the children.
Anyone who hasn’t yet signed the petition and wishes to can do so up to November 2 here. The petition will be debated in Westminster Hall on Monday, November 7, at 4.30pm led by Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami.
It was originally scheduled for September 12 but was postponed due to the official period of mourning following the Queen’s death. You can watch the debate here.
Mark has been supporting petition-starter Edwin Duggan and Jade’s family with their campaign. He said: “The sheer numbers signing this petition shows just how strongly people care about this issue.
READ MORE: MP pledges to back Jade's Law "every step of the way”
“The Government has said that legislation already exists to allow courts to limit the parental responsibility of a parent where it is deemed to be in the best interests of the child.
“We already know this, and our point is that it shouldn’t be the guardians who have to jump through hoops to prove why a parent doesn’t deserve parental responsibility. It is for the parent, the perpetrator, to prove why they deserve parental responsibility.
“Russel Marsh has already hurt Jade’s family in the worst way possible. He shouldn’t be allowed even a shred of control over their lives going forward.”
READ MORE: Jade Ward's parents speak out about family's turmoil after daughter's murder
Law graduate Edwin Duggan, who is studying for his masters at Stafford University, said: “The aim of the petition is to place the onus upon the convicted individual over that of the family. The debate was postponed while we mourned Her Majesty’s passing, and now we are looking forward to taking this debate to Westminster.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here