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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent

Mother and son call for review of ‘harsh’ UK witness protection programme

Shadow of a hand holding sunglasses
‘I honestly cannot continue in this way, hidden and silenced, while my life withers away.’ Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

A mother and son whose lives have been completely reshaped by living under witness protection have called for a wholesale review of the system, warning that instead of keeping people safe it can be “hostile” to innocents.

The pair spoke to the Guardian on condition of anonymity after obtaining their official file, which they say shows that their pleas for help were dismissed and the value of their evidence in an investigation into a gang-related murder may have been exaggerated.

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