Jade's Law named runner up in Parliamentary awards event

Jade Ward, a 27-year-old mum-of-four, was murdered at her home on Chevrons Road on the night of August 25, 2021.

Russell Marsh, from Shotton, was found guilty of the crime and received a life sentence in 2022.

But despite Marsh's conviction, he - and others in his circumstances - was still legally entitled to ask for school reports, receive updates and have a say in his children’s upbringing while serving his sentence in prison.

Jade's parents Karen Robinson and Paul Ward, alongside friend Edwin Duggan, set up the Jade's Law campaign to have the parental responsibility of a person who is found guilty of murdering their child's other parent automatically suspended.

And to their relief and delight, in December the Government introduced an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill, enacting the demands of the Jade’s Law campaign.

It was announced in February that Jade's Law had been nominated as one of three campaigns by the Petitions Committee, a cross-party group of MPs, for the Petitioner of the Year award.

And on Monday, March 25, the awards event took place at the Speaker of the House of Commons State Rooms, with Commons Speaker Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle in attendance. 

Jade's Law was named runner up and Mr Duggan, from Shotton, said he was in no way unhappy with the outcome.

He explained: "I was asked during afternoon tea at the Speaker's Chamber if I was disappointed about not winning the award. I replied 'Absolutely not!'

Edwin Duggan at the event (Image: Edwin Duggan)"I never embarked on the Jades Law Campaign to have any accolade, my only aim was to secure it into legislation, and this has been achieved.

"The mere fact that the campaign has been recognised to the level it has, being in the top three campaigns of the year out of an estimated 7,800 petitions raised during the year, is testament enough.

"My mantra during the whole campaign has been, 'together we can make a difference.'

"This concept certainly worked as the overall achievement came due to the efforts of the whole community of Deeside and surrounding areas.  

"Team Jade worked tirelessly, on the internet and on the ground of the streets, to get the message out to the whole population of the UK.

"Jade's parents Karen and Paul became the face of the campaign and have to be commended for the numerous times they had to face the media during the months of campaigning.  

"Local press, TV and other media platforms also helped along the way, and I have to place a special thank you to the Leader as they were (as were their readers) with the campaign from the very first.  

"Everyone in the local community should all share in the pride that Jades Law now lies within an Act of Parliament.

"I am so proud and happy for the whole community in this achievement."