Keir Starmer on the domestic violence horror case that inspired him to support Independent’s Brick by Brick campaign

The Prime Minister recalled the murder of a woman who was stabbed 71 times by her abusive ex-partner, despite giving his personal support for it The Independent‘S Brick by Brick campaign to build a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

In an exclusive interview, Sir Keir Starmer promised that he and his Cabinet would donate to the campaign, which aims to raise £300,000 to create a safe haven for women and their children.

He cited the case of Jane Clough, a nurse who was killed by her ex-partner after he was released from prison on bail against the family’s wishes. Sir Keir met her parents while working as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

“Jane lived in fear that he would hurt her again,” he said The Independent. “Every day she made sure not to drive to work alone. One morning, when she didn’t, he was waiting for her in a hospital parking lot. He stabbed her 71 times.

“I have seen so many families torn apart by domestic violence and so many lives destroyed. That’s why I strongly believe that vulnerable people should have more support, places where they can feel safe and access to the services they need to rebuild their lives.

“And that’s why I’m so happy to be there The Independent‘s Brick By Brick campaign to support victims of domestic violence. Not only do I support the campaign, I want the campaign to continue and grow bigger.”

Be a brick, buy a brick and donate here or text BRICK to 70560 to donate £15

The Independent has teamed up with domestic violence charity Refuge and has already raised £130,000 of its £300,000 target to create a safe space for women, their children and all pets.

Every £15 donation buys one brick and, thanks to generous readers, work has already started on the foundations.

The Prime Minister joins a long list of campaign supporters including the Queen, former Tory cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt, Cherie Blair, Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Patrick Stewart, Rylan Clark and Andi Oliver.

The campaign received a boost when Dame Joanna Lumley created her mantra: Be a Brick, Buy a Brick.

Sir Keir is committed to tackling domestic violence by working first-hand to prosecute those who commit crimes against women and children. He has long been an advocate for women fleeing abusive partners and a vocal critic of domestic violence.

He has been a lawyer since 1987 and served as DPP between 2008 and 2013. In this role he was responsible for prosecuting the most serious criminal cases across the UK. Jonathan Vass was sentenced to life in prison after admitting murdering Ms Clough in 2010.

Speaking about her parents, Sir Keir said: “When John and Penny made contact my office was in the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] told me not to see her. They warned me not to get emotionally involved. But how could I not? Why would I do this job when I couldn’t look the parents of a murdered woman in the eyes? I’m glad I did it.

“I sat down with people who had experienced domestic violence. I listened, and listened carefully, to what they had been through. It had a profound impact on me. I have had these conversations for 15 years – as a lawyer, as a prosecutor and as a politician.”

The Prime Minister said the first-hand experience of hearing from survivors shaped his stance on domestic violence.

He added: “So many women and girls did not feel they could come forward to report what was happening to them. About 90 percent didn’t have the confidence in the system to come forward, and that’s why this campaign is so important.

“To take this first step, victims of domestic violence need to have a place to escape to.

“When I was Chief Prosecutor, as Director of Public Prosecutions I was responsible for the team that prosecuted those who had committed crimes against women and girls in particular.

“I spoke to the victims, I spoke to the victims’ families, and I heard firsthand the impact domestic violence had on them, and then vowed to increase the number of prosecutions as a prosecutor.”

“That’s why I was very pleased in the general election that we, as a new government, were able to commit to halving violence against women and girls.”

Several high-profile figures have spoken out about their experiences of domestic violence, including BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire, who described how her father scalded her by throwing hot soup over her school uniform.

Cherie Blair KC told The Independent about her time representing survivors in court. She described being pushed down the stairs by a domestic abuser after she represented his vulnerable victim.

Please donate now in the Brick by Brick campaign, launched by The Independent and the charity Refuge, to raise £300,000 to create a safe space for women to escape domestic violence, rebuild their lives and start a new one can build the future.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247 or you can visit the Refuge website Here. There is a dedicated men’s advice center on 0808 8010 327