Mother bid to change law goes to Minister
THE MOTHER of tragic Yorkshire schoolboy Harry Whitlam has moved a step closer to securing a change in the laws that deal with drivers like the one who killed her son.
Harry, 11, from East Ardsley, near Leeds, died after he was struck by a reversing tractor at Swithens Farm in Rothwell in August 2013. The driver of the tractor, Gary Green, was over the drink drive limit but could not be prosecuted under road traffic laws because the incident took place on private land.
Harry’s mother, Pamela Whitlam, is campaigning for that loophole to be closed with the introduction of what has become known as Whitlam’s Law.
Now a date has been confirmed for a potentially-crucial meeting between Miss Whitlam and Transport Minister John Hayes.
She will press her case in London on Tuesday, October 17, along with her lawyer, Amy Clowrey from legal firm Switalskis, and Elmet and Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrooke.
Miss Whitlam said: “Meeting with the Transport Minister is a milestone in our campaign. We are one step nearer to closing the unjust loophole in drink drive laws which prevented the proper prosecution of the driver who killed Harry.”
Mr Hayes has previously said he would consider the “possibility of future legislative reform” in the light of Harry’s death.
Green, from Robin Hood, near Rothwell, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court last year to 16 months in prison for health and safety violations relating to the farm tragedy.
If the incident had happened on public land and the case been dealt with under road traffic laws, it could have carried a maximum jail term of 14 years.