Grandchildren of Ruth Ellis, last woman to be hanged in UK, ask for pardon

David Lammy urged to consider 1955 case in light of evidence Ellis was abused by partner before she killed him

The grandchildren of the last woman to be hanged in the UK are asking ministers to posthumously pardon her in light of evidence that she was emotionally and physically abused by her partner before she killed him.

Ruth Ellis was executed in 1955 after killing David Blakely her partner, who she had met while working in the nightclub she managed two years earlier. At the time, she was portrayed as a cold-blooded killer" but evidence has since emerged that Blakely, a racing-car driver, physically and emotionally abused her.