UKNoticeOfficial ✓July 8, 2026· GOV.UK
Last woman to be hanged in the UK pardoned 70 years on
What happened
Ruth Ellis, who was the last woman to be hanged in the United Kingdom, has been granted a conditional pardon. This pardon was issued by His Majesty the King, acting on the advice of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Why it matters
This action revisits a historical legal decision, potentially influencing the historical record of justice in the UK. It signifies a reconsideration of past convictions by the current government.
Who it affects
- ›Ruth Ellis's historical record
- ›Legal and historical scholars
- ›The UK justice system
Receipts
The receipts are official. The summary is ours.
Read on GOV.UK ↗Summaries are generated from the official text and may simplify or omit nuance. The official document is the source of truth.
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