David Lammy, the justice secretary, has announced an increase in the minimum sentence for domestic murder victims from 15 to 25 years, following a seven-year campaign by mothers Carole Gould and Julie Devey. The decision came after they presented Lammy with photographs of their murdered daughters in a meeting at the Palace of Westminster.
Campaigners' emotional meeting with Lammy
Carole Gould, whose 17-year-old daughter Ellie was killed by fellow sixth-former Thomas Griffiths in 2019, and Julie Devey, whose 24-year-old daughter Poppy Devey Waterhouse was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Joe Atkinson in 2018, showed Lammy the images. Gould said: 'Imagine this was your daughter.' Lammy, who has described adopting his daughter as 'the best thing he and his wife ever did', was reportedly shocked. The mothers argued that domestic murderers faced a maximum of 15 years, 10 years fewer than if the murder occurred on the street. Atkinson received 16 years; Griffiths got 12.5 years.
Lammy's commitment to change
During the meeting, Devey challenged Lammy: 'That's got to change. Whatever you're doing at the moment is not working. What power have you got?' Lammy insisted he had power, and Gould interjected: 'Well, if you've got the power, David, why don't you just level up sentencing all to 25 years?' After a pause, Lammy replied: 'All right, I will.' The women burst into tears.
Announcement in Parliament
On Tuesday, Devey, Gould, and Elaine Newborough—mother of 23-year-old Megan Newborough, murdered by her boyfriend Ross McCullam in 2021—watched from the public gallery as Lammy announced that murderers who kill current or ex-partners in England and Wales will face an extra 10 years. The mothers held each other, tissues in hand, as their families cheered. Newborough said: 'It is very emotional. It is amazing, but it's just so sad that it's been so hard. Our girls will be so proud of us, I'm sure.'
Background of the campaign
Devey and Gould founded Killed Women, a campaigning organisation led by families of women killed by men. They launched the 'You were told' campaign in 2023, highlighting system failures. In 2024, their Fallen Women campaign urged police to examine domestic abuse in cases of women falling to their deaths. They also worked with the Guardian on the Killed Women Count campaign, which reported on every known death of a woman allegedly killed by a man in 2024. In 2025, Invisible Women highlighted vulnerabilities of black, minoritised, and migrant abuse victims.
Support from Jess Phillips
Jess Phillips, who has supported the group since its inception, was present to shepherd families into the Commons chamber. Phillips, who resigned as safeguarding minister in May, said the women had righted a 'fundamental unfairness' in the criminal justice system. 'It's been a really long journey, and I'm so glad to see it come to fruition,' she said.
Remaining concerns
The new measure, subject to consultation with the sentencing council, is not perfect. Domestic abuse commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs expressed disappointment that the sentencing increase will not apply when a victim is killed by a family member, including sons killing mothers or so-called 'honour'-based abuse. Devey said: 'We'll keep going. We're not going to stop now.' Gould is focused on raising the new guidelines when her daughter's killer faces the Parole Board. 'This is a recognition that he is as dangerous as someone inside for 25 years,' she said.
Gould recalled that after her daughter's sentencing, the family's barrister told her the law 'was cold' and nothing could be done. 'I always thought, from that moment onwards: "I'm going to show you one day this is wrong," she said. 'And today we have.'
