MPs to debate Jools Law to allow bereaved parents access to children’s social media
MPs will today debate a change in the law proposed by a bereaved mother who believes social media may hold crucial clues to her son’s death.
Jools Sweeney was 14 when he was found unconscious at home in April 2022.
His parents and friends who saw him earlier that day say there were no signs he was depressed.
A coroner found he took his own life, but that he probably did not intend to, as he was unable to confirm he was in a suicidal mood.
His mother Ellen Roome suspects he may have taken part in an online challenge.
She has spent two years trying to get access to his social media accounts but says the tech companies have made it “very difficult”.
Her petition to allow bereaved parents or guardians to access a child’s full social media history attracted 126,000 signatures, known as Jools Law, and will be debated in parliament later.
“Earlier in the day he was playing football with a group of friends,” she said.
“You can see on our security camera he said goodbye to his friend, all chirpy, an hour and a half before I got home.
“We can’t have all, his parents, friends, teachers, grandparents, missed depression. And so we’re left with these huge question marks,” she said.
“The pain in my heart of not knowing what happened that night or why is incredibly hard. I don’t want another family to go through it.”
‘It’s my gut feeling and I just want to know’
MPs are to debate Ellen Roome’s suggestions
Ms Roome, 48 from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, fears her son may have taken part in an online challenge which led to his death.
The police and coroner did not gather forensic data from his phone.
With help from her son’s friends, Ellen has been able to unlock his phone and access some of his accounts, but some material has been deleted.
She says the tech companies have not given her full access to what Jools was looking at before his death.
“I have always said I don’t know it’s social media but that’s always been my gut feeling and I just want to know – it’s the missing piece of the jigsaw,” she said.
“He did an awful lot of challenges, like standing on his hands putting a t-shirt on upside down. I thought they were fun, viral challenges. I never knew about some of the more dangerous ones.
“The police didn’t ask for the data from social media companies. The detective didn’t even find out he had more than one TikTok and Instagram account.”
She says the social media companies have not given her all his messages and browsing history.
“They could say ‘here it is, I hope you get some answers’. They could redact the details of other children.”
Jools died a week after 12-year-old Archie Battersbee from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, was left brain-damaged by what a coroner concluded was an online prank and later died.
Sky News has contacted Meta, which owns Instagram, as well as TikTok and Snapchat. None provided an on-the-record statement, but they are understood to have been in contact with Ms Roome.
Ms Roome wants access to her late son’s social media
Police ‘supporting’ family
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary said they were limited in what they could request because it was not a criminal case.
“We cannot fathom how upsetting it must be for the family to not have answers after Jools took his own life.
“We supported the Sweeney family and coroner’s office throughout an investigation into the cause of his death.
“As part of this Jools’s phone was given to police and a review of the contents took place, as well as the manual review of a TikTok account. Nothing was found as part of these searches to provide any answers.
“Police are limited in what lines of enquiry can be taken to access private social media accounts hosted by private companies due to legislation, which states that you have to be proving or disproving an indictable offence, which is not applicable in this case and therefore there was no legal basis to apply for a production order.
“We know this sadly doesn’t help Jools’ family get the answers they are searching for, and we continue to support them with their own application for access to his social media accounts.”
A TikTok representative held a meeting with Ms Roome last year and explained that the law requires companies to delete people’s personal data – unless there is a police request for it.
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May 2024: ‘I have no idea why he isn’t here’
Read more:
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Everything ‘on the table’ in debate
‘I don’t want any other family in my position’
In April 2024, new powers allowing coroners to require the production of social media evidence were introduced. Jools’s inquest was by then closed.
Ms Roome is preparing a case to go to the High Court to get a fresh inquest and is crowdfunding the £86,000 cost to find answers.
The government issued a response to Ms Roome’s petition, saying that tech companies should respond to requests from bereaved parents in a “humane and transparent way”.
A new Digital Information and Data Bill, to be passed this year, would compel social media companies to retain data in cases where a child has died, so a coroner can request it.
But Ms Roome is worried it would not compel coroners and police to request the data.
Peter Kyle has said he will be looking ‘very, very closely’ at the issue. Pic: PA
“I don’t want any other family to be in the position I am two-and-a-half years after my son’s death. It should be automatic,” she said.
Her lawyer Merry Varney, partner at Leigh Day, also represented the family of Molly Russell who fought for months to access what she saw online.
‘It’s left to parents to fill the gaps’
Ms Varney told Sky News: “Getting that information is incredibly difficult, it’s a moving target. You’ve got the posters of the content, they control whether it’s deleted or made private.
“The social media companies take this line ‘it’s not for us, it’s not our responsibility’, which makes for a very challenging set of circumstances – and it’s not right.
“There’s a lot the social media and tech platforms say about wanting to help, to be seen to be doing the right thing. But are they transparent about the gaps? No.
“It’s left to the parents to fill the gaps themselves and it can be costly and difficult.”
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Technology Secretary Peter Kyle spoke to Sky News in November. He said: “Coroners have the power now to compel the release of that data so it can be looked at.
“I’m going to be looking very, very closely at how those powers are used, that all coroners know that they have those powers and then if there’s any additional powers that are needed going forward, then, of course, you know, I’m all ears to see how that could work.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
One man has been arrested, and further suspects are being traced, after 21 people needed medical attention following a “pepper spray” incident at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Officers were called at 8.11am on Sunday to a multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 following reports of multiple people being assaulted, said the Metropolitan Police.
A statement from the force said: “Armed officers responded to the incident and arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of assault, within nine minutes of the report coming in.
“He remains in custody and enquiries remain ongoing to locate further suspects.”
What we know so far:
• Police say a group of four men “robbed a woman of her suitcase” in a car park lift
• They sprayed a substance believed to be pepper spray in her direction
• People in the lift and the surrounding area were impacted
• Those directly involved are “known to each other”
• A total of 21 people were treated at the scene, including a three-year-old
• Passengers faced delays and difficulties accessing the airport
• Most of the disruption has now cleared
Fire engines responding to the incident at Heathrow Airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
Met Police Commander Peter Stevens said on Sunday afternoon that the force believes “a woman was robbed of her suitcase by a group of four men, who sprayed a substance believed to be pepper spray in her direction”.
“This occurred within a car park lift, with those in the lift and surrounding area affected by the spray,” he continued.
“Our officers are working to determine the full circumstances around what happened but we do believe this to be an isolated incident with those directly involved known to each other.”
London Ambulance Service attended the scene and treated 21 people, including a three-year-old girl. Five people were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
There was some disruption to traffic in the area and Terminal 3 remains open.
Eyewitness describes ‘absolutely terrifying’ ordeal
Witness Tom Bate told Sky’s Matt Barbet that he saw three “young men, dressed in black with their heads covered” suddenly bolt from the elevator area.
That’s when “people started coughing”, he said. “Suddenly… everyone in the room was coughing, including me, and there was a burning in my throat.
“It was one of the weirdest things I’ve ever experienced.”
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‘Significant incident’ at Heathrow Airport
Mr Bate was in the multi-storey car park at Terminal 3, having just landed from Dallas, Texas.
As he was leaving the car park, he saw “10-20 armed police officers” run in.
“The [police] did, in fact, point their gun at someone and order him to the ground and detain him,” he said. “And they got me out of the vehicle to ID the person.”
Mr Bate described the incident as “pretty intense” and “absolutely terrifying”.
‘Significant incident’
The London Ambulance Service said a “significant incident” was declared and there was a “full deployment” of resources. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said it was also called to the incident.
Heathrow advised passengers to allow extra time when travelling to the airport and to check with their airline for any queries.
Some passengers said they were forced to wait three hours for a shuttle bus to the long-stay car park after their flight. The service usually runs every 15 minutes.
Bottles of water were handed out by staff to people waiting for buses from Terminal 3.
There was disruption to train and Tube services, with some delays on the Elizabeth Line and the Piccadilly Line, but all lines are now operating normally.
A queue to exit the Elizabeth Line at Heathrow after the incident. Pic: PA
Traffic also piled up at the M4 junction for the airport but this has since cleared.
People on social media said vehicles were being searched at the airport.
A user on X said there was a “major backlog of cars unable to leave the vicinity or enter the drop-off zone” at Terminal 3.
In footage on X, several armed police were seen in a car park.
Lando Norris won his maiden Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship on Sunday after coming third in the deciding showdown in Abu Dhabi.
The accolade wraps up a clean sweep for his McLaren team, after they claimed the Constructors’ Championship in Singapore in October.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the final race of the season from pole position, but Norris coming in third meant the Dutchman was unable to overcome Norris’s season points total of 423 – with Verstappen just two points short.
Norris’s title victory also ends Verstappen’s four-year reign at the top of Formula 1. The Dutchman was hoping to retain his crown and win a record-equalling fifth-straight Drivers’ Championship, which would have seen him draw level with F1 legend Michael Schumacher.
McLaren driver Lando Norris celebrates winning the Formula One world championship after finishing third at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Pic: PA
Norris’s teammate and title rival, Oscar Piastri, finished in second place in the race but third in the overall standings finishing on 410 points.
The 26-year-old Norris is the 11th British driver to win the championship and first since Sir Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
“Thank you guys, oh my God. You have made my dreams come true, thank you so much. I love you guys. Thanks for everything, you deserve it. I love you mum, I love you dad. Thanks for everything. I’m not crying!” he said on the team radio as he crossed the line.
His victory marks a remarkable comeback to secure the title, after falling 34 points behind Piastri following the Dutch Grand Prix in August, when he suffered a late mechanical problem in his car while running second to his Australian teammate.
Lando Norris reacts after becoming a world champion after the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. Pic: AP
But in the nine grand prix that followed, this was only the second time he was beaten by Piastri in a race.
That sequence saw him secure dominant wins in Mexico and Brazil, putting him in pole position for the maiden title.
“I’ve not cried in a while! I didn’t think I would cry but I did!” Norris to Sky Sports in his post-race interview.
“It’s a long journey. First of all, I want to say a big thanks to my guys, everyone at McLaren, my parents – my mum, my dad – they are the ones who have supported me since the beginning.
McLaren driver Lando Norris during the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Pic: AP
“It feels amazing. I now know what Max feels like a little bit! I want to congratulate Max and Oscar, my two biggest competitors the whole season. It’s been a pleasure to race against both of them. It’s been an honour, I’ve learned a lot from both.
“I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been a long year. We did it and I’m so proud for everyone.”
After conducting celebratory ‘donuts’ on the start-finish straight after completing his slow-down lap, Norris was embraced by his parents, Cisca and Adam, after getting out of the car along with his girlfriend, Margarida Corceiro.
Norris received congratulations from across the globe after his win, including from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
In a post on X, Sir Keir said: “Congratulations @LandoNorris, Britain’s new @F1 champion! An unbelievable season and so well deserved.”
Lottie (right) and her friends watch along at Silverstone
Norris’s fans celebrate in Silverstone
It was clear who fans at this watch party wanted to see win, and they got their wish.
There were cheers, tears and hugs of celebration as Lando Norris became the first Brit to win the World Championship in five years.
“Great race, great result,” says Jamie, who attended the watch party with his girlfriend Lottie. “We cheered every time he came on screen.”
Lottie has seen Norris race at Silverstone before, but today was even more special.
“I’ve never felt like this before,” says Lottie. “It was such an amazing experience.”
She admits, though, that for much of the afternoon she “felt sick,” nervous about how the race would pan out.
Norris only needed to be in the top three to win, but was amongst stiff competition with Max Verstappen and team mate Oscar Piastri hot on his heels.
There were groans in the crowd each time Norris slipped behind, and raucous cheers each time he closed the gap.
But it was the reaction from the Jenner family that caught my attention, crying and embracing each other when it became clear Norris had brought it home.
“The fact he has managed to get here is just everything. It’s amazing,” said Mrs Jenner.
“Pure joy that he had done it, we all love F1 as a family, it just means everything.”
But not everyone was happy. Abhi was among the few who came to support another driver.
“Go Max every time,” he says, admitting that he is “a bit gutted” by the results. “It stings a bit, but that’s the nature of the race.”
When asked what it was like to be one of the only people not there to witness Norris take the win, he says, “I felt a bit intimidated to be honest, and a bit stressed as well, but I held my own.”
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah says he has been “thrown under the bus” by the club, and his relationship with manager Arne Slot has broken down.
The 33-year-old player also suggested that next Saturday’s match against Brighton could be his last for the Reds, who are the reigning Premier League champions.
Speaking after Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds, the Egypt forward told journalists he was in disbelief he had been left on the bench for the third game running.
Salah takes a selfie with fans in April. Pic: Reuters
“I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season,” said Salah, who signed a new deal at Anfield at the end of last season. “Now I’m sitting on the bench, and I don’t know why.
“It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.
“I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far, I am on the bench for three games so I can’t say they keep the promise.
“I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.”
He joined the club in June 2017, and has been one of the Premier League’s best players.
Asked if his relationship with Slot had broken down, he said: “Yeah, there’s no relationship between us. It was a very good relationship and now all of a sudden there is no relationship.”
Salah will play at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for Egypt on 15 December and has been linked with a January move to the Saudi Pro League.
On Tuesday, Liverpool face Inter Milan away in the Champions League.
Speaking about the Brighton match at Anfield next Saturday, he admitted: “I said to [my family], come to the Brighton game. I don’t know if I am going to play or not, but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen now.
“I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa cup. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”
Asked if it could be his final game for Liverpool, Salah said: “In football you never know. I don’t accept this situation. I have done so much for this club.”
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