Paula and Neil Scott, parents of former prison officer Lenny Scott, met with Prisons Minister Lord Timpson and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice to thank them for backing their successful campaign to change the law in memory of their son.
The Government has now accepted Conservative proposals to close the loophole that prevented whole life orders from being applied when current or former police, prison or probation officers were murdered in connection with their duties, even if the killing occurred after they had left the service. The change was first proposed in the Commons by Shadow Justice Minister, Dr Kieran Mullan MP, after working closely with Paula and Neil to bring Lenny’s case to Parliament. It was then taken up by Conservative frontbenchers in the House of Lords and written into the Sentencing Bill, meaning the loophole will be closed in law.
In 2020, while working at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool, Lenny refused a bribe from violent offender Elias Morgan, who wanted him to conceal a mobile phone found in his cell. After Lenny refused, Morgan repeatedly threatened him and his family. Four years later, Morgan carried out those threats, attacking Lenny as he left a gym and shooting him six times. This took place just eleven days before Morgan was due to be sentenced for the phone offence, at which Lenny would have been required to give evidence had he still been a serving officer.
The meeting took place the day after the Sentencing Bill completed its Third Reading in the House of Lords. This means the Bill has all but finished its passage through Parliament and is expected to receive Royal Assent in the coming weeks, at which point it will become law.
The meeting gave Paula and Neil the opportunity to discuss the importance of this change directly with Ministers, to reflect on what it means for families affected by crimes like Lenny’s, and to thank them for supporting their campaign.
Dr Kieran Mullan MP said:
“It has truly been a privilege to work alongside Paula and Neil and to help bring their son Lenny’s story to Parliament. Their courage and determination made sure this injustice could not be ignored. I was glad to join them today as this change to the law moves closer to becoming reality. This has always been about making sure the law properly reflects the seriousness of crimes committed against those who serve the public, and that Lenny’s memory leads to something lasting and meaningful.”
Paula and Neil Scott said:
“Meeting the Ministers today was an important moment for us. We have fought for this change because what happened to Lenny was deeply wrong, and the law did not properly recognise that he was killed because of the position he held.
“It has meant so much to us to hear Lenny’s name spoken in Parliament, by Ministers and Members from all sides. To know that his story has been heard brings us a small measure of comfort in the middle of an unbearable loss. It means a great deal to know that this change is now so close to becoming law. We are grateful to Lord Timpson and the Government for listening to us, and to Kieran for standing with us and helping to make sure Lenny’s case was heard at the highest levels.”
