Jane Clough parents backed by MP's calls for law change

An MP is backing the parents of Blackpool murder victim Jane Clough by highlighting her case in Parliament.

The 26-year-old was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend Jonathan Vass, 30, while he was on bail accused of raping her.

Her parents, Penny and John Clough, from Barrowford, have said she was badly let down by the legal system.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson has submitted a 10-minute rule bill calling for the prosecution to have a right to appeal if a judge bails an offender.

Mr Stephenson said: "This case highlights a need to change the law to ensure that the prosecution has the right of appeal in a bail case.

"I think if the law had been that way then he simply wouldn't have been granted bail."

Nurse Ms Clough was repeatedly stabbed by Vass, the father of her child, near Blackpool Victoria Hospital in July 2010.

Jane Clough was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Jonathan Vass last July

Vass, of Conway Drive, Preston, pleaded guilty to her murder and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years last October.

Mr Clough said: "Jane's death was completely preventable.

"It is completely inconceivable to us why bail was granted with the number of charges levelled at him - nine counts of rape and four counts of assault.

"When a bail decision is made by the judge, it seems that only the person in front of them matters. The victim has no part in this bail decision."

The bill will be introduced to the House of Commons on Tuesday.