‘Law change will be my sons’ legacy – I hope they’re proud of me’

Claire Throssell has spent 12 years campaigning for changes to family court law after her sons, Jack and Paul, were killed by their father, Darren Sykes, in 2014. The Courts and Tribunals Bill has completed its final stages in the Commons, changing the presumption that children benefit from contact with both parents after separation. Throssell says the change is a step towards safer lives for future generations, and a way to honour her sons.

Sykes set fire to his home with 12-year-old Jack and nine-year-old Paul inside, then locked them in; he also died in the fire. The boys had told social workers they feared their father, and Throssell had warned authorities about his abuse and threats, but the family court had allowed unsupervised visits. Paul died that night and Jack died several days later; before his death, Throssell promised Jack she would keep trying to protect other children.