Lisa Hayden-Johnson, the woman labelled 'Britain's most evil mother' after fabricating her son Matthew's illnesses, has spoken out for the first time since her release from prison in a new Channel 4 documentary series.
The Devon woman was jailed in 2010 for three years and three months after admitting cruelty and perverting the course of justice. She falsely claimed that her son Matthew suffered from a range of illnesses including diabetes, food allergies, cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis.
Mother Refutes 'Most Evil' Title
In the first episode of the three-part series, Love You to Death, which aired on Wednesday (August 19), Hayden-Johnson refutes the infamous 'most evil mum' title she earned as a result of the story.
She says: "I've never had the opportunity to [tell her story]. The newspaper articles are so incorrect. How can I be 'Britain's Most Evil Mother?'" She goes on to add: "The only thing I was guilty of was putting my son first and fighting his battle, which is what I did. And I don't regret that."
Son's Response to Mother's Claims
Matthew, now aged 25, was subjected to medical interventions before doctors grew suspicious about his alleged health problems. He will feature in the second episode of the series and spoke to the BBC about how it felt to hear his mother's perspective.
He said: "It was a lot of disappointment but I think also frustration as almost two decades on, there is still a lack of accountability from her side. When I could see, even after two decades... she still holds the same story and believes that she did the best by me... that obviously isn't right."
Matthew's older sister, Laura, also speaks out in the documentary. A synopsis for the show states: "Young Matthew's health problems worry medics and his mum Lisa. But when doctors' efforts to improve Matthew's condition don't work, suspicions are raised and the police are called in to investigate."
Love You To Death Episode 1 is streaming now on Channel 4.
