Molly’s family will get legal aid

THE family of schoolgirl Molly Russell who committed suicide after viewing disturbing pictures on Instagram have won an appeal for legal aid at her inquest.

Their initial application had been refused by the Legal Aid Agency on the grounds the case was not ‘ a matter of wider public interest’.

But the LAA yesterday said the family’s legal costs would in fact be paid from the public purse after reviewing the case.

The family’s victory comes less than a week before a pre-inquest review hearing into the tragedy. Molly took her life six days before her 15th birthday in November 2017 after viewing self-harm and suicide material on social media pages.

The Russell family believe that the images Molly saw contributed to her state of mind and eventual death and have sought legal aid to ensure that the circumstances around her suicide are thoroughly investigated.

Molly’s father, Ian Russell, said: ‘ This decision is a weight lifted from our family and we now look ahead to a full and fearless inquest into Molly’s death.’

Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, is expected to be represented by a team of highly-paid lawyers at the hearings.