HL Deb 28 November 1995 vol 567 c33WA
Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of the recent acquittal of Emma Humphries, they will reconsider their decision not to support legislation to provide a defence of provocation for those accused of murder.

Baroness Blatch:

The existing law, which already provides a defence of provocation to a charge of murder, responds with flexibility to the particular circumstances of domestic violence victims. The recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, which quashed Emma Humphries' conviction for murder and substituted a conviction for manslaughter, does not suggest that the law on provocation requires amendment. We have no current plans to change the law in this area.

Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions they have held within the last year with Justice for Women concerning the case of Emma Humphries and the question of whether there is a need to change the law to provide a defence of provocation for those accused of murder.

Baroness Blatch:

We have not had any discussions on these matters with Justice for Women in the last year.