Evil child murderers like Arthur Labinjo-Hughes’ father and step-mum will die in prison under new laws, PM vows

BORIS Johnson yesterday vowed to bring in a new “Arthur’s Law” so evil child killers will die behind bars.

The Prime Minister told The Sun: “Anyone who plans then carries out the murder of a child should never be released from prison.

“So we’re toughening the law to make whole-life orders the starting point for such abhorrent crimes.”

Mr Johnson also last night cracked the whip on bringing forward a rapid review on toughening up the sentences handed down to tragic Arthur Labinjo-Hughes’s killer father and stepmother.

Emma Tustin, 32, was jailed for life, with a minimum of 29 years, and dad Thomas Hughes could be out after just two-thirds of his 21-year sentence for manslaughter.

Together they inflicted horrendous pain on little Arthur, six, by beating the defenceless lad and poisoning him with salt.

It came as pictures emerged of the vile pair smiling and lounging in a hot-tub, while the terrified youngster was forced to stand for hours in a hallway.

The grinning killers cooled down in last year’s spring heatwave as Arthur was left roasting in a fluffy onesie.

Discussing the horrific case, the PM said: “The Attorney General is also urgently considering the facts of this case and the sentence handed down, but this is a Government that will always legislate for the toughest possible sentences for such repugnant crimes.”

Mr Johnson’s spokesman added: “We want this to be looked at as a matter of urgency.”

The PM’s intervention comes after Arthur’s grieving grandfather demanded the killers “must never see the light of day again” and The Sun launched our “Justice For Arthur” campaign.

Peter Halcrow, 61, said he was “shocked and mystified” as to how social workers had failed to raise the alarm as the boy was starved, poisoned and beaten to death.

And he added: “No punishment could ever be enough for this pair.”

The Government will now amend the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that is currently working its way through Parliament, to bring pre-meditated child murder into line with the most serious offences against children.

At the moment, life sentences apply for abducting and then murdering a child, or murdering them with a sexual or sadistic intent.

Plotting to kill a child and then committing the act will now be added to that list.

Mr Johnson added: “This will be no solace to the friends and family of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes who have my deepest sympathies and condolences.” And

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi told MPs yesterday: “No government can legislate for evil, but we will take action wherever we can to stop it happening again. We must do more.”

The NSPCC said little Arthur’s death must be a “watershed moment”.

In heart-wrenching scenes in Parliament yesterday, MPs across the political divide united to pay tribute to Arthur and demanded to know why “things went so horrifyingly wrong”.

They blasted the “too soft” sentences handed to his evil dad and stepmum, and demanded judges lock them up and “throw away the key”.

Tory Julian Knight — Arthur’s local MP in Solihull, West Mids — begged ministers to leave “no stone unturned” in finding out what went so tragically wrong.

Shocked politicians said they were moved to tears by the “bone-chilling case” and hugged their own kids “a little tighter” as they heard the sickening details.

His voice shaking with emotion, he recounted some of Arthur’s last words as he said: “No one loves me, no one is going to feed me.

“Those are the words that broke the hearts of my town and it seems our country as well.

“A young lad who never had a chance. He experienced unimaginable brutality in his short life.”

He said the review must get to the bottom of why police, teachers and social services failed to speak to each other about the case.

Fellow Tory Saqib Bhatti said Brits have been left “devastated” at the killing and demanded tougher sentences for Tustin and Hughes.

He said: “I have to admit, many times over the last few days I’ve thought they should lock them up and throw away the key.”

Conservative colleague Simon Hoare described the case as “bone chilling” and called for a “crusade” on a par with the campaign against female violence

Responding to the MPs, Mr Zahawi added: “As we uncover what went wrong and led to Arthur’s tragic death, we must also strengthen our resolve to make sure that those who would do wicked acts to children face justice.

“We must do absolutely everything in our power to protect vulnerable young children from harrowing and evil abuse.”

Lib Dem Munira Wilson demanded more money for kids’ social services as “you cannot put a price on a child’s life” and

Labour shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson warned “vulnerable children are being failed”.

Anna Edmundson, of the NSPCC, said: “The name Arthur Labinjo-Hughes will be etched into our memories alongside Baby P, Victoria Climbie, Daniel Pelka and many more who suffered sickening cruelty.

"This national outpouring of grief must be a watershed moment.”