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Greg Mulholland-Working Hard For Leeds North WestFamily’s campaign ‘firmly on political agenda’ - Mulholland
April 24, 2012 5:33 PM
Member of Parliament for Leeds North West, Greg Mulholland, yesterday met with Justice Minister, Crispin Blunt MP, along with the family of Jamie Still, to discuss the ongoing campaign to change the law, so that those charged with death by dangerous or careless driving have their driving licence suspended as a bail condition. This meeting came on the back of a Parliamentary Motion tabled by Mulholland on the subject as well as calling on the Prime Minister to seriously consider changing the law, in a letter and during PMQ's.
Greg, along with Jamie's mother, Karen, sister, Rebecca, and Granddad Peter Strong, who has been organising the campaign, met with Justice Minister, Crispin Blunt, on Tuesday to discuss their experiences, the campaign and what can be done to ensure others aren't forced to face the same agony they have.
Greg has backed a campaign launched by the family of Otley teenager Jamie Still, who tragically lost his life when he was struck by a driver speeding and twice over the legal drink drive limit. The perpetrator, who was convicted and jailed in September 2011 was allowed to continue driving for 8 months after killing Jamie, which caused huge distress to Jamie's family and friends and has been described by Mr Mulholland as "grotesque".
The family have also started an e-petition which can be found at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/zero---tolerance-for-drink-drivers-in-the-uk/ , calling for zero-tolerance for drink drivers in the UK and specifically for those who kill through dangerous driving to have their licences suspended.
Greg commented:
"The meeting with the Minister was a good opportunity for Jamie's family to put across to the Minister what they had been through following the tragic & unnecessary death of Jamie on New Year's Eve 2010.
"The Minister made clear that the family's campaign had been noted and is being listened to, which is very encouraging. This is now firmly on the political agenda and the issues raised are being looked into.
"What is crucial is to prevent other families from facing the same agony Jamie's family faced with Jamie's killer being allowed to continue driving for eight months afterwards.
"Those who have been charged with death by dangerous or careless driving should have their driving licence suspended as a condition of bail and I hope that by working with the family and the Ministry of Justice we can achieve this."
Karen said:
"It was pleasing that the Minister was sympathetic and understanding of our campaign and particularly pleasing to hear that the issue is on the agenda and that the Director of Public Prosecutions will be opening up a consultation on this issue in the Autumn.
"A big thank you for Greg for all the work he has done for us on this. We feel that as a victim of crime our concerns are often missed or ignored. Greg has given us the opportunity to have our concerns heard."
Rebecca commented further:
"It was nice to have the opportunity to meet with the Justice Minister to allow us to express our concerns and in particular to have our concerns listened to seriously."
END