House of Commons Speaker backs 'Face the Family' campaign

The Speaker of the House of Commons says change must happen to force offenders to appear in court for sentencing.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle's added his backing to our Face the Family campaign.

We're urging the government to uphold a commitment made following the murder of Zara Aleena in Ilford.

When her killer, Jordan McSweeney, refused to leave his cell to receive his life sentence the Justice Secretary said he'd look at giving judges more powers to extend jail time.

Zara's family described his lack of attendance in court as a 'slap in the face' and a 'further attack'.

Mr Hoyle told us it's important that families feel they've had their justice.

"These people who commit the most hideous of crimes, I just don't understand it. The fact they don't want to show remorse, they don't want to accept any form of guilt or show any emotions to the family, I think is a very sad situation."

"I think it must be awful that people can't get an end to what's the most hideous of crimes and I think it is about that it's about showing support for the families who've suffered so much through the most hideous of crimes that have been carried out."

"I do support the campaign that makes sure that at least the families feel that they've had their time that they've seen justice carried out and when that's robbed from them that's also another fatal blow to that family that have suffered so much."

What is our petition calling for?

We're calling for the government to introduce new laws which order an offender to be present in court for sentencing or face further punishment.

Following a number of high-profile cases where serious criminal offenders refused to be in the dock when their sentence is passed down, we are petitioning for a change in the law so they can be ordered to appear.

We want prison and court staff to be given powers to use reasonable force to get offenders into the dock - as they do to transfer them from a court to prison.

Why are we calling for this?

Families are currently being deprived the opportunity of gaining full closure and offenders have the power to deny them that.

We want a shift in the law so that it empowers victims families and gives them every chance to witness justice be delivered.

When and how can I sign the petition?

There is a seven day period for official government petitions to be published, once this has happened we will share the link on our website and social media channels.

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