MP: Government must consider Helen's Law

The McCourts and MP Conor McGinn deliver the Helen's Law petition at Downing Street

Mr McGinn was speaking after he accompanied Marie McCourt - mother of murder victim Helen - to Parliament and Downing Street as part of a campaign to introduce Helen’s Law.

The visit came the day after it was announced Helen’s killer, Ian Simms, could be moved to an open prison before being released on licence within months.

Mr McGinn, whose St Helens North constituency includes Billinge, accompanied Mrs McCourt and her family to meet victims minister Helen Grant.

Marie McCourt speaking to TV reporters outside Number 10

They then headed to Downing Street where Mrs McCourt’s Helen’s law petition, which has been signed by 320,000 people, was delivered to Prime Minister David Cameron.

Mr McGinn said: “Marie made her case with characteristic decency and dignity. She is an extraordinary woman who despite enduring the most awful suffering is dedicated to helping others.

“The Victims Minister listened carefully and responded positively.

“The priority for me now is to ensure that the Secretary of State for Justice is fully informed of all the facts around Helen McCourt’s case before making the final decision about whether her murderer is to be transferred to an open prison.

“I also welcome the fact that the Prisons Minister has responded to the overwhelming public support for our campaign to introduce Helen’s Law, and has asked the parole board to review the guidelines around convicted murderers who refuse to reveal the location of their victims’ remains.

“I want to see immediate progress on this and I will be keeping the pressure on the Government so that victims and their families get the justice they deserve.”