Esther Ghey focused on 'lasting legacy for Brianna' - BBC

Nathan Standley

BBC News

8 February 2024, 14:05 GMT

Updated 8 hours ago

Brianna Ghey's mum says she is focused on creating "positive change" and a "lasting legacy" for her daughter rather than on comments made by the prime minister this week.

A political row erupted after Rishi Sunak joked about Sir Keir Starmer's "definition of a woman" during a heated exchange in Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions, on the same day Esther Ghey was visiting Parliament.

Mr Sunak had been challenging the Labour leader on his party's record of policy U-turns.

The prime minister has since faced calls to apologise, including by the murdered teenager's father, who called his comment "degrading".

But Brianna's mum, who was in Westminster as part of her campaign for mindfulness to be taught in all schools in England, says her focus is elsewhere.

“I don't wish to comment on reports of wording or comments recently made," she wrote on her campaign's Facebook page Peace & Mind UK, on Thursday.

"My focus is on creating a positive change and a lasting legacy for Brianna.

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"Through Peace & Mind, we want to improve lives by empowering people, giving them the tools they need to build mental resilience, empathy, and self-compassion through mindfulness.

"In developing these skills, I hope that we can create a more understanding, peaceful, and stronger society for everyone.”

Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, both 16, were given life sentences for murdering Brianna, also 16, in a park near her home.

Mr Sunak has accused Mr Starmer of "using the tragedy" and demonstrating the "worst of politics" in the House of Commons row.

He said his words at Prime Minister's Questions had been "absolutely legitimate" and that he had "nothing but the most heartfelt sympathy for [Brianna Ghey's] entire family and friends".

Ms Ghey had been in Parliament on Wednesday alongside Emma Mills, the head teacher at Brianna's school, to attend a debate on whether to introduce mindfulness to the national curriculum.

Ms Ghey has already raised thousands of pounds to deliver mindfulness training in schools in her local area, around Warrington.

Ms Mills, head teacher at Birchwood Community High School, told BBC Breakfast on Thursday they had not been present during Mr Sunak's comments and had "not really discussed it" on the day.

She is backing the campaign by Brianna's mum, saying mindfulness would be a "massive step forward" for education.

Mindfulness is a calming technique that involves examining the present moment without judgement, the charity Mind says.

Sir Keir Starmer with Brianna Ghey's mother, Esther

After the debate, Ms Ghey told Mr Starmer: "At the moment, we just focus so much on the academic aspect of schools and we're never taught how to take care of our mental health.

"Mindfulness has really helped me in such a difficult time.

"It's given me that mental resilience - and I think so many people at the moment are lacking that resilience."

Labour wants mental-health support available in every school.

The Department for Education said there were no plans to introduce mindfulness in all schools - but:

the current relationships, health and sex education (RSHE) curriculum had a "strong focus" on mental health and wellbeing
all schools had been offered grants to train a senior mental-health lead by 2025

The prime minister has also invited Ms Ghey to a meeting about online safety - but it remains unclear when it will be.