The Sun backs demands to close loophole allowing killer dads to control their kids’ lives from prison

THE Sun is backing today a call for ministers to fill a loophole in the law allowing killer fathers to control their children’s lives from prison.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces calls from activists and lawmakers from all political parties to end the “offensive” rights granted to fathers behind bars for killing their partner.

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Our campaign commemorates Jade Ward, whose killer Russell Marsh continues to influence the lives of her four young children.

We demand that they be automatically deprived of parental rights once they are found guilty of a crime.

Worryingly, under current regulations, children can still be prevented from traveling abroad by their jailed fathers. They can also request access to school reports and medical records.

Attorney General Alex Chalk is exploring ways to change the law as families currently face a costly lawsuit to strip them of their rights.

Jade’s parents Karen, 52, and Paul, 56, want the Prime Minister to see it “from the family’s perspective”. Karen added, “If we had the money to go to court and fight this ourselves, we would.”

Former Minister Caroline Nokes, Chair of the Women and Equality Committee, said: “It is a disgrace that a man convicted of murder can exercise parental rights over his children from a prison cell.”

The Labor Party will table an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill currently being debated in Parliament and will ask the Government to back it. It would ensure that killer fathers lose parental responsibility.

Ellie Reeves, Labor shadow justice secretary, said: “We must put an end to this appalling situation. Every day of government inaction is another day when vulnerable children have no protection from further harm.”

Tory MP Paul Maynard, who sits on the Justice Select Committee, said: “As we learn more about coercive control and emotional abuse and find new examples, it is important that Government stays informed.”