The comments made by David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister, on 29 June 2026.
For centuries, the law failed to protect women from violence at the hands of their partner – whether from marital rape or from abuse behind closed doors. Whilst we’ve made significant progress, we need to continue righting these wrongs.
This change closes a long overdue gap and will ensure those who murder their partner face sentences that better reflect the devastating harm they cause.
I pay tribute to Carole Gould, Julie Devey and Elaine Newborough whose courageous campaign will help future mothers, daughters and wives get the justice they deserve.