Prisoners serving whole-life orders will no longer have the right to get married under a measure signed into law by the lord chancellor.

The measure, in the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, was pledged by former justice secretary Dominic Raab in March last year.

This followed widespread anger over a bid by serial killer Levi Bellfield to challenge a decision blocking him from marrying in prison. 

Levi Bellfield

Serial killer Levi Bellfield

Source: Alamy

The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 comes into force today.

Announcing the marriage ban, lord chancellor Shabana Mahmood said: ‘Victims should not be tormented by seeing those who commit the most depraved crimes enjoy the moments in life that were stolen from their loved ones. That is why I have acted as soon as possible to stop these marriages and give victims the support they deserve.’

Under the new law, the lord chancellor will retain the right to permit ceremonies in the most exceptional circumstances.

It has been suggested that the ban on prisoners marrying could breach the European Convention on Human Rights, which contains a right to marriage under Article 12.

 

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