A DOMESTIC abuse campaigner has been named as the top inspirational northerner of 2025 after a tireless year in which she received a promise from the Prime Minister that her efforts would finally result in a law change.
Claire Throssell MBE topped The Northern Agenda’s list for the work she has done for more than a decade, following the tragic deaths of her sons Jack and Paul Sykes who were killed by their father - a known domestic abuser - in a house fire.
Unsupervised contact had been granted by the family courts because of the presumption that children should have contact with both parents despite Claire disclosing she had suffered domestic abuse at the hands of her husband and her warning that the boys would be unsafe with their father.
In October, Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Claire at 10 Downing Street and told her that he would take forward a promise and repeal the presumption of contact law to protect future generations of children.
Claire, from Penistone, was joined by Hillsborough families, Lioness Lucy Bronze, musician Sam Fender and Claire’s Penistone and Stocksbridge MP, Marie Tidball, who has championed her cause.
“I went to see the boys on Christmas Eve and lit their lantern, as I always do, and fell apart inside,” Claire said.
“But, ever since meeting with Sir Keir in Downing Street, I’ve walked straighter and felt different since he promised to repeal presumption of contact from law.
“I also feel stronger because I know that Marie will do everything she can to get Jack and Paul’s law through in 2026.
“From her it’s never an empty promise or empty words.
“I’m telling every professional who turns up at conferences to hear me speak that presumption will be removed.”
In highlighting Marie’s work alongside her constituent, The Northern Agenda described the MP as one of ‘Labour’s rising stars’ and celebrated her work.
She added: “As a proud Yorkshirewoman, it means a great deal to be named alongside my phenomenal constituent, Claire, in the 2025 top ten list of inspirational northerners.
“It has been such a privilege to campaign with her to repeal the presumption of contact.
“Claire has campaigned relentlessly with Women’s Aid on this, through five previous governments, to put children first in our family courts.
“We will continue to work together for this monumental change which will protect the lives of generations of children, giving them brighter, safer futures.
“Our communities have stood behind Claire every step of the way, and I am honoured to have been able to work so closely with Claire in Parliament in my first year as MP.
“We will not rest until we ensure Jack and Paul’s law passes through Parliament.”
