The families of a South Shields couple who were tragically killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack have spoken of their anger at a law that prevents the from registering the deaths of their children.
It has been nearly six years since the atrocity which claimed the lives of 22 people, including teenage sweethearts Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry, in May 2017. But their mothers, Lisa Rutherford and Caroline Curry, say have been unable to complete the "final act a parent can do for their child" by registering their deaths.
That's because the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 states that when a death has been subject to an inquest the information for the registration can only be provided by the coroner. In other cases, the information is provided by a "qualified informant" which is usually a family member.
READ MORE: The courageous Newcastle boy, three, who cannot walk or talk and suffers 15 seizures a day
The Manchester Arena Inquiry, which was launched to investigate the deaths of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack has been ongoing since September 2020.
However, Lisa and Caroline have argued that being able to register their children's deaths is an important part of the grieving process and that the current law takes away the choice of parents to do so. Lisa and Caroline have now launched a petition calling on the Government to change the law so that parents in the future are able to register the death of their child, regardless of the circumstances.
The change.org petition has already gathered more than 1,900 signatures in just two days.
"I am very angry, it is just wrong on every level," Caroline said.
"He was my son, I gave birth to him and it's my job [to register his death]. It's not the job of someone who didn't know him just because of the way he was taken.
"We have had everyone else taken from us. Starting with taking my child.
"They shouldn't be taking that final act away from us. I know Liam is not coming back but until you have got that final piece of paper in your hand [the death certificate] it's not final.
"But if that is taken from me as well, where does my finality come from? Where do I get that from? Because they [the government] will have taken that away from me."
Caroline said that South Shields MP Emma Lewell Buck had received a letter from MP Mike Freer and The Lord Murray of Blidworth in January which said that the government was committed to "looking at options to change the law in the longer term." However, after the families met with the pair in February Caroline said they were told this would not be something they were willing to do as it was a "non-controversial law, therefore it does not need to be reviewed."
"It is totally disrespectful," Caroline said of the decision.
She continued: "It might be too late for me and I might not be able to do Liam's but I will continue to fight so that parents in the future get that choice."
Lisa added: "Getting the death certificate is a huge part of the grieving process and they are making that difficult. It is disgusting."
When contacted by Chronicle Live, the government said that any amendments to the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 "would require careful consideration and require parliamentary time to enact."
It said the Manchester Register Office "has made arrangements for the bereaved families to witness the registration of their loved one’s death" on the conclusion of the inquest.
A government spokeswoman said: “Lord Murray and the government as a whole remain steadfast in our commitment to the families whose lives have been devastated by the senseless attack at Manchester Arena.
“Currently, after an inquest, all details must be provided by the coroner alone, any change to the law would need to consider its wider impact, including how it would affect those bereaved families who do not wish to provide information to register the death when they have already provided this to the inquest.
“We acknowledge the seriousness of this matter and are committed to seeing what can be done via non-legislative means, we have offered the bereaved families the option of being present at the registration of their loved one’s death if they wish to do so.”
To sign the petition visit: https://www.change.org/p/parental-right-to-register-their-childs-personal-detail-on-a-death-certificate
The families have set up a charity in memory of Chloe and Liam called the 'Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust' which provides grants to young people in North East to help them achieve their goals in sport or performance. For more information visit: https://togetherforevertrust.com/
READ NEXT:
- Selfless Newcastle-mad dad who 'bleeds black and white' gives Wembley tickets to his kids
- Newcastle United to receive civic ceremony - even if they lose Wembley cup final
- Shola Ameobi reveals special Wor Flags tribute ahead of Newcastle United's Wembley cup final
- Newcastle fans can grab free Carabao Cup souvenir photos in Eldon Square
