Blog

This week, Lizzie changed her profile picture on Facebook. In response, Coral left a comment:

Jane and I are being torn apart by this ordeal; emotionally shredded, submerged daily in dark waters of grief that threatens to pull us under. Once again this week, Jane’s sobs in the early hours of the morning were a raw reminder of the depth of anguish she carries as Lizzie’s mum. A mother whose child was taken, isolated and manipulated.

This intense heartbreak doesn’t affect only us as Lizzie’s parents. It pierces the hearts of her wider family, her church family and her godparents.

The pain of loss – and the bewildering apathy from the very agencies that should be helping – were recurring themes in the many letters sent to Melanie Onn MP. One, in particular, captured the profound sadness felt by those who loved Lizzie:

“She was a big part of my life and now she has gone like she was a figment of my imagination but she lives on in my photos and memories. This is honestly like a death without a funeral. There is no service to remember her, no grave to visit but to all intents she is dead.

I love her and miss her so much. She was a funny, loving, cheeky, annoying, loud, creative, adorable girl. She loved and was loved by so many people, and we are all ghosts.“

Coral’s tone in her comment was mocking – taunting, even. She laughs at the crisis she has created. Our bereavement is a joke to her. She mocks the silence and inaction of the agencies that should be safeguarding vulnerable young people such as Lizzie. For two years, Coral’s cruel actions, threats and manipulations have gone unchecked. Her vile allegations remain unchallenged. Her coercive behaviour condoned. Her threatening posts ignored.

Now, as she openly ridicules the fact that we haven’t been allowed to see our only child for over 18 months, what will Adult Social Care or the police do?

Why should I believe that anyone will respond to her latest taunt? Coral has grown confident that they will not. She is certain that no one will test the evidence, initiate an inquiry or intervene. She knows she can continue isolating Lizzie from everyone who loves her.

To Coral, “abuse” is just a term of amusement – especially, it seems, when that abuse “is paying off”.

The Second Anniversary

On Monday 21st July 2025, it will be two years since the dreadful day that Coral carried out her premeditated plan to remove Lizzie from the comfort, safety and familiarity of her family home. Lizzie – trusting and impressionable – believed she would be able to stay in contact with her loved ones and see them often. That was a lie … one of many.

In fact, the day before, Lewis had already sown even bigger lies into the machinery of statutory agencies. He made vile, baseless allegations about Jane and me to staff at Linkage College, who then passed them on to Adult Social Care. The well was poisoned, the wheels were set in motion, and the plan began to unfold. Lizzie and I, meanwhile, were laughing and singing on the way to and from York to celebrate her milestone birthday – blissfully unaware of the storm ahead.

So, did the agencies actually believe the allegations of physical and sexual abuse against Lizzie?

Option 1: Yes.

In this scenario, the safeguarding and law enforcement agencies heard the horrifying allegations, believed them … and did nothing. I, named as the alleged perpetrator, was never contacted or questioned. There was no arrest, no investigation. If the allegations were believed, then the agencies’ complete inaction amounts to a catastrophic professional failure. How is that acceptable?

Option 2: No.

So, in this version, the allegations, made both before Lizzie was taken and again during a police welfare check in November, were not believed. If that’s the case, the very fact that such vile accusations were made should have raised serious professional concern. Not about us, but about the motivations of those making the claims; namely, Lewis and Coral. Surely, our protests about Lizzie’s removal should then have been taken more seriously. Instead, we were met with collective indifference and disdain. Again, how is that professional?

Option 3: A Bit.

Is this even a valid option? But let’s suppose the agencies had “doubts” – uncertainty about the truthfulness of the claims. If so, the only logical response would be to investigate and clarify those concerns. That would mean I’d be questioned, and I’d know about it. But no, nothing. In fact, I had to extract the nature of the allegations myself, via a Subject Access Request and a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office. Once more, how is that professional?

The Lizzie Gladwell Crisis campaign continues to demand accountability from those in public office. Real change only happens when experiences like ours are brought into the light.

Series 1 of our podcast documented the first year after Lizzie’s removal. As we approach the two-year mark, I can confirm that Series 2 will begin shortly, on a brand new website that will serve as the official platform for The Lizzie Gladwell Crisis campaign. A second series should never have been necessary. In truth, the first one shouldn’t have been either. But here we are.

We’ll share the details of the new site once it’s live. What I’ve seen of it so far looks amazing.

Thank you all for reading, following, and standing with us. The level of support we’ve received is deeply humbling.

————————–

Thank you for reading. If you have any insights, comments or advice, please feel free to add them below.