Mother of two murdered boys welcomes appointment of Domestic Abuse Commissioner

Claire Throssell has campaigned for tougher laws and wants to get a domestic abuse bill through parliament. Credit: PA Images

A mother from Yorkshire whose two sons died in a fire that was deliberately started by their father has welcomed the appointment of a UK Domestic Abuse Commissioner.

Since the deaths of her sons Jack, 12, and Paul, 9, in 2014, Claire Throssell has campaigned for tougher laws and wants to get a domestic abuse bill through parliament.

The Home Office has appointed Nicole Jacobs, who has worked for domestic abuse charities for more than two decades, as the first person to take up the role.

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

  • WATCH: In an ITV News Point of View video, Claire Throssell tells her story. She describes how her 16-year marriage to Darren Sykes began "all roses and romance" but changed when he became "controlling, aggressive", and manipulative.