Mother of two boys murdered by their father won't give up on domestic abuse bill

The mother of two boys murdered by their father says she won't give up her fight to get a domestic abuse bill through parliament.

Claire Throssell's sons Jack,12, and Paul,9, were murdered by her estranged husband in 2014.

Claire has been at the forefront of the campaign for new laws since the tragedy, but faces further delay in seeing it becoming law due to parliament being suspended.

New figures revealed today show the number of domestic violence killings has hit a five-year high.

Data from 43 police forces across the UK reveal that 173 people died in domestic violence-related homicides last year. The new data emerged after Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to reintroduce domestic abuse legislation in the next Queen's Speech.

Mr Johnson tweeted on Thursday: "Domestic abuse shatters lives and tears families apart.

"We are fully committed to tackling this horrific crime - which is why theQueen's Speech will confirm we will be reintroducing domestic abuse legislation in the next session."

The Domestic Abuse Bill was introduced in Parliament in July.

The proposals would give better protection to those fleeing violence by placing a new legal duty on councils to provide secure homes for them and their children.

It would also introduce the first legal Government definition of domestic abuse, which would include economic abuse and controlling and manipulative non-physical behaviour.

A row erupted earlier this month over former prime minister Theresa May's decision to honour her favourite cricketer, Sir Geoffrey Boycott, who was was convicted in France in 1998 of beating up his then girlfriend in a Rivierahotel.

While campaigners said it was sending a "dangerous message" that "domestic abuse is not taken seriously as a crime", Sir Geoffrey said he "couldn't give a toss" about criticism of his knighthood.

Former president of the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales, has called for the Domestic Abuse Bill to be brought back before Parliament.

He said:

Watch Claire Throssell's story here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E33S1un1grU#action=share