Who was pardoned killer Ruth Ellis from Denbighshire?

At the time of Ellis’s execution, the British public was questioning whether the death penalty had a place in the 20th century, and two years after Ellis was hanged, legal changes introduced diminished responsibility as a defence.

Lammy said: “For 70 years Ruth Ellis’ family fought for her story to be heard.

“We cannot change what happened 70 years ago, but we can accept that this is an exceptional situation.

“Today’s conditional pardon is an act of mercy. We hope it brings some peace to Ruth’s family.”

Ellis’s granddaughter, Laura Enston, said: “Today justice has finally been served… this pardon does not undo what happened 71 years ago, it does not bring back the lives broken, the children left behind, the years lost.

“But he officially and finally says Ruth should not have been executed. He says the justice system failed her. This acknowledgment is very important to our family.”

“We hope Ruth’s story serves as a lasting reminder that the justice system must reckon with the abuse that drives women over the edge.”