MARIE McCourt and MP Conor McGinn held a day of action in Westminster calling for change in the law after nearly half a million people signed the Helen's Law petition.

Helen McCourt, from Billinge was murdered on February 9, 1988 – and despite George and Dragon pub landlord Ian Simms being jailed for the crime – he has never admitted what he did or where Helen’s body is.

Her mum Marie, 74, has been campaigning for a new law to be adopted – Helen's Law – which would mean convicted murderers who refuse to reveal the whereabouts of their victims’ bodies would remain behind bars.

Yesterday, Wednesday, April 18, St Helens North MP Conor McGinn joined Marie to lead campaigners for a cross-party meeting in Westminster and to deliver the petition calling for a change in the law to 10 Downing Street.

This follows nearly half a million people adding their names to Helen’s Law petition.

Mr McGinn said: “While 30 years have now passed since the murder of Helen McCourt, the agony of knowing her remains have not been laid to rest is a daily torment for my constituent Marie McCourt.

“Marie and other victims’ families have campaigned with dignity and tenacity for justice and it is right that this message is taken right to the top of Government.

“The campaign for Helen’s Law and the introduction of a ‘no body, no parole’ rule to the statute book is long overdue and it is high time Ministers acted.”

Other victims’ families and their MPs also joined the day of action, meeting in Westminster to press for a rule change.

Mr McGinn and Mrs McCourt then met with Justice Secretary David Gauke to discuss how Helen’s Law can be implemented.

A version of the law is already in effect in several states in Australia and the House of Commons unanimously backed the proposal during a vote on Mr McGinn’s Bill in the last parliament.