Will Forster MP calls out Keir Starmer over Sara Sharif’s murder as House of Lords debates Sara’s Law
Will Forster, Member of Parliament for murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif, calls out the Prime Minister for silence over an inquiry into her death as Peers discuss vulnerable children in new bill.
Will Forster, Liberal Democrat MP for Woking, has announced that the House of Lords will debate Sara’s Law on Thursday 19th June as part of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The amendment will now be tabled in the House of Lords by Liberal Democrat Peer, Baron Shaffaq Mohammed of Tinsley.
Sara’s Law tackles the postcode lottery in children’s services by introducing national thresholds for children in need.
The amendment, fully supported by the Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza, was first brought about because of the tragic death of Woking resident Sara Sharif. It would ensure that vulnerable children, like Sara, would receive consistent levels of support across the country, with automatic referrals to social services when they face serious risk.
Will Forster, who first proposed the amendment in the House of Commons in March, is also demanding the Prime Minister keep his promise, after a six-month silence from No.10, to update Parliament on whether there will be an inquiry over her death.
In a direct letter to the Prime Minister on 16th June, Will Forster wrote:
“I formally requested a timeline for when the House will next be updated on the progress of the inquest into the tragic death of my constituent, Sara Sharif.
“It was a promise you made at the dispatch box in answer to my PMQ that day. As of today, there has not been an update to the House.”
Will Forster added:
“I hope you can confirm, after six months of silence, when the House might expect an update on this matter.”
Despite broad support, there is no guarantee that Sara’s Law will pass, or even if there will be an inquiry over her death. The House of Lords will debate Sara’s Law on Thursday 19th June, yet Downing Street has yet to make a statement on the matter.