Laura Enston at the Ministry of Justice [Andy Tyler]

GRANDCHILDREN of the last woman to be hanged in the UK said she was failed by the criminal justice system, as they arrived in Whitehall in a fresh bid to secure a pardon.

Seventy years after Ruth Ellis was hanged at Holloway Prison for killing her abusive boyfriend, the Ministry of Justice was once again told to consider that she was suffering from “battered woman syndrome” at the time.

The historic case has been the subject of books, plays and TV dramas ­– often questioning why the 28-year-old was rushed to execution in 1955. She faced the death penalty just three months after being convicted of murdering David Blakely, a racing car driver she had been in a relationship with for nearly two years.

He died after being shot outside the Magdala pub in South End Road, Hampstead. They had met when she was a single mother-of-two. Her family said this week that she went on to suffer “a punishment that did not fit the crime”, and that her trial did not consider that she was victim of long-term, systematic emotional, sexual and physical abuse that was overlooked during the criminal proceedings.

Lawyers from top firm Mischon de Reya are representing the Ellis family and have submitted an official application for a reprieve to the Justice Secretary, David Lammy.

Ruth Ellis

Laura Enston, one of her grandchildren, said: “Ruth’s execution has had a devastating impact on our family … and as grandchildren we have felt these ripple effects. “We are determined to do what we can to right this historic injustice and honour not only Ruth but all victims of domestic abuse who have been let down by the criminal justice system.”

Documents for the application include reports of her being assaulted, pushed down the stairs, struck on the ear, punched in the stomach resulting in a miscarriage and threatened with murder by Mr Blakeley. The legal team say she was suffering from “battered woman syndrome” but legislation at the time prevented a jury considering this as a factor in the case. Diminished responsibility and loss of control arguments that may have led to a lesser conviction of manslaughter were not available at the time. The Abolition of the Death Penalty Act came into force 60 years ago.

Barrister Alex Bailin KC, representing Ruth’s family, said: “A posthumous conditional pardon for Ruth Ellis would correct a historical wrong and send a clear message to the public that violence against women and girls is never acceptable.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The justice secretary considers all applications for royal pardons, in line with the longstanding conventions which govern use of the prerogative.”