MPs have had their say on a proposal to automatically take away parental responsibility from people convicted of murdering the other parent of their child.

The Jade's Law petition received more than 130,000 signatures in the aftermath of the murder of much-loved Jade Ward.

Jade was just 27 and from Chevrons Road in 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.

Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami presented the petition to colleagues at a debate in Westminster Hall on Monday afternoon.

He said the law would put "the onus on the killer" to jump through legal hoops in order to prove they deserve parental responsibility, as opposed to putting the burden on the victim's family.

Mr Tami said the current rules mean bereaved families have "no chance to move on" as the perpetrator has "even more weapons to use against the family of the deceased."

He added he hoped the debate would enable the proposal to move forward and potentially see such a mechanism adding to existing legislation, which he said would not add additional cost to the public purse.

Quoting Jade's parents, he said: "Jade was the sunshine of our lives; she was the glue that held us together.

"She was a devoted mother, a much-loved friend, daughter, sister, auntie, niece and granddaughter.

READ MORE: MP pledges to back Jade's Law "every step of the way”

"Jade's whole life was ahead of her. Her death has left a void in our lives.

"It is sadly too late for Jade, but her children - and others in the same situation - have their whole lives before them.

"We owe it to them to ensure the system is on the side of the victims."

Following contributions from several MPs, Minister of State for Victims and Courts Edward Argar MP told the hearing while he was truly sympathetic to the campaign, it is the Ministry of Justice's view that it is important courts continue to have flexibility under existing legislation to make decisions tailored to the unique lives of each child.

To make an automatic restriction of parental responsibilities "risks not aligning with the existing principles underpinning that key legislation," he said.

The Minister did however state that later this month there will be further work on legislation to support people applying for special guardianship, and he will be asking the family procedure rule committee to consider what opportunities there may be to expedite procedures under current legislation so as to present as few procedural burdens to families as possible.

He concluded: "In short, we believe it is right to restrict parental responsibility if it is deemed in the best interest of the child.

"It is right that is a power exercised by the court and they have that power at their disposal."