The system failed June, now it must show compassion

June Martin has experienced pain and suffering none of us ever want to endure.

This woman’s children were murdered in the most brutal fashion by her then husband. They were stabbed to death and left in their beds for her to find. Since that day, she has suffered. She has suffered loss and grief, leaving her crippled as a human being.

But the Department for Work and Pensions, in its wisdom, has decided her wounds are not crippling enough – well, at least in physical terms.

So it has upheld a decision that she does not meet the required number of points, following a test, to maintain her £55.10 a week benefits.

That means June has lost her financial support and has been deemed fit to work.

How can “the system” be so lacking in compassion?

How can it fail to take into account the abject horror this woman has gone through?

Yes, there are those who exploit the benefits system. It’s also correct that appropriate checks and balances are in place to punish such cheats who pocket money to which they are not entitled.

However, June found both of her children murdered in bed. How can her fitness to work be assessed by a set of templated questions?

Put yourself in her position. How could you ever recover from such a horrific episode? Simply existing must be a battle in itself.

This is a case where understanding and support should be the priority.

We implore the DWP to reconsider its decision, to show some humility, and to save the sanctions for the real cheats.

June was a victim when her husband battered her. She was a victim when be killed their children.

And now she is a victim once more.