Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Desecration of Corpses Criminalisation

2020-12-08

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Kieran Mullan Con
Bexhill and Battle
▸ Context
No specific background provided, but the MP is concerned about ensuring respect for the deceased.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of criminalising the desecration of a corpse.
Alex Chalk
The bodies of those who have died should be treated with dignity and respect. Where that does not happen, the criminal law can intervene and there are a number of offences that may apply: preventing the lawful burial of a body, outraging public decency, perverting the course of justice, removing human tissue without consent and so on. We will of course keep the law under review.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The specific merits or demerits of criminalising corpse desecration were not directly addressed
Keep The Matter Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Kieran Mullan Con
Bexhill and Battle
▸ Context
The MP is supporting Helen McCourt's mother, who successfully campaigned for 'Helen's law'. The mother wants to see further reforms.
I thank the Minister for that reply. I am supporting the campaign of the mother of Helen McCourt, whom we know in this place for successfully campaigning on Helen's law, but who is equally determined, while understanding the points the Minister has made, to see further reform so that the criminal justice system adequately reflects how we would feel if one of our loved ones was desecrated after death. Will he agree to meet me and discuss with Helen McCourt's mother further steps we might be able to take?
Alex Chalk
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that excellent point and for paying tribute to Mrs McCourt, whose brave campaign has led to Helen's law, as he rightly indicates, getting on to the statute book, having recently received Royal Assent, in large part because of her campaigning activity. We keep the matter under review, and I would be delighted to meet him, as he suggests.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The specific steps for further reform were not detailed
Keep The Matter Under Review
Response accuracy