Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy announced in the House of Commons that Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in the United Kingdom, has been granted a conditional pardon by His Majesty the King. The pardon, accepted on the advice of the government, replaces the death penalty with a sentence of life imprisonment, acknowledging a profound injustice in this exceptional case.
Background of the Case
Ruth Ellis was executed in 1955 after being found guilty of murdering her lover, David Blakely. Her case has long been controversial, with advocates arguing that she was a victim of domestic abuse and that the legal system failed her. Her grandchildren had campaigned for a posthumous pardon, calling it a necessary step to right a historic wrong.
Announcement at PMQs
Standing in for Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions, Lammy told MPs: "I have the honour to say that His Majesty the King has accepted our advice to grant Ruth Ellis a conditional pardon, the last woman to be hanged in the United Kingdom." He emphasized that the pardon does not claim she was innocent of killing Blakely, but rather replaces the death sentence with life imprisonment to recognize the injustice.
Lammy noted that Ellis's grandchildren were present in the Commons public gallery. "We hope this brings a measure of peace to Ruth Ellis's family, who have carried the weight of what happened to her for over 70 years," he said.
Family's Reaction
Her granddaughter Laura told the BBC in October: "We are determined to do what we can to right this historic injustice and honour not only Ruth but all victims of domestic abuse who have been let down by the criminal justice system." The family has long argued that Ellis was a victim of domestic violence and that her conviction was tainted by the era's attitudes towards women.
Historical Significance
Ruth Ellis remains the last woman executed in Britain. Her case has been a focal point for campaigners against the death penalty and for those seeking justice for victims of domestic abuse. The conditional pardon is seen as a landmark acknowledgment of the flaws in her trial and the broader systemic issues of the time.
