Soham murderer Ian Huntley could have his funeral or cremation paid for by taxpayers unless his family makes alternative arrangements, under a long-standing prison service policy. The policy requires governors to offer up to £3,000 to cover basic funeral expenses for any death in custody.
Justice Secretary David Lammy has come under pressure to prevent any costs being covered by the taxpayer or prison service time being spent marking the child killer’s death. Former prison governor Ian Acheson said Lammy needs to be 'all over this' and can override any prison service instruction to prevent a taxpayer-funded funeral.
Huntley, who murdered 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, died in hospital on Saturday after being attacked in the workshop of a maximum security prison on 26 February. He was serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years at HMP Frankland, Durham.
Huntley’s daughter, Samantha Bryan, said she was 'over the moon' to learn of his death and believes his ashes should be flushed down the toilet. She stated she will not attend a funeral, calling it 'pointless for a man like him.'
Any money granted by prison services cannot be used for a headstone, flowers, or order of service sheets. Similar schemes have previously covered funeral costs for other murderers, including Raymond Morris in 2014 and Peter Sutcliffe in 2020.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'The murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman remains one of the most shocking and devastating cases in our nation’s history, and our thoughts are with their families.'
