Tributes to crusading father who saved lives with Clare’s Law

THE campaigning father of tragic Clare Wood - whose murder brought about new domestic domestic violence legislation - has died.

Michael Brown was at the forefront of a crusade after his daughter’s death which brought in what became know as Clare’s Law.

Clare, 36, was murdered in Salford in 2009 by her ex-partner George Appleton, who had a history of violence against women.

Mr Brown - described as a powerhouse whose legacy has saved lives campaigned in her memory for a change in the law so women and men would be able to find out if a new partner has a history of domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme first came into force in 2014.

The scheme gives police the discretion to disclose certain information about a partner’s past. Mr Brown, from Batley, Yorks, died in hospital after a short illness, his family has confirmed.

He was 76. The former prison officer, who was originally from Aberdeen in Scotland, took the campaign to Downing Street alongside former Salford MP Hazel Blears and others to hand in a petition.

Ms Blears said: “He loved his daughter very, very much and wanted to try to protect other people from a similar fate. He was one of the most determined men I have ever met. He was also incredibly gentle. It took us a long, long time to finally be able to enact Clare’s Law. I would like to pay tribute to his steadfast determination that Clare’s death should not have been in vain. Clare’s Law has resulted in hundreds of lives being saved, and that is his legacy.”

Mr Brown’s sister, Carol Whicher, said: “We are devastated beyond words.

“Michael never stopped fighting after he lost his daughter Clare in such horrific circumstances.

“He didn’t want anyone else to suffer the same fate she did and always said if he could save just one person from a life of domestic abuse, then his campaigning had been worth it.”

Mr Brown was awarded a British Citizen Award for his campaigning earlier this year and was also a patron of the Endeavour Project, a domestic violence

Clare Wood and, inset,, her father Michael has died having spent years fighting for Clare’s Law

organisation in Bolton. Writing on Facebook, project leaders said: “Michael was a powerhouse.

“No one who heard him speak could fail to be moved by the passion and drive he brought to his campaigning.

“Driven by the appalling loss of his daughter, Clare, Michael had a determination that everyone had the right to know about the violent past of a partner.

“After the best part of a decade Clare’s Law will finally become

enshrined into law as part of the Domestic Abuse Bill currently going through parliament.

“There is no doubt Clare’s Law saves lives. Thank you Michael. Your legacy has saved hundreds and will save thousands more.”

Ms Wood was strangled and set on fire by evil Appleton at her home in Blackfriars, Salford, in February 2009.

Dubbed the ‘Facebook Fugitive’ he went on the run before taking his own life.