'Harshita Brella should have been protected' says Angela Rayner as Corby MP Lee Barron raises murder case in House of Commons

The 24-year-old was tragically killed while living at Skegness Walk in Corby. Police say the prime suspect is her on-the-run husband Pankaj Lamba, against whom a domestic violence protection (DVPO) court order was issued on September 5.

As revealed first in the Northants Telegraph, that order lasted 28 days and was not renewed.

Within the past few minutes, Mr Barron raised the issue during today’s PMQs in the House of Commons.

He asked Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner: “Harshita Brella was killed and found in the boot of a car, as it was taken from her home in Corby on November 14.

"This tragic murder left a community shocked and scared and is being investigated by the police. Harshita was protected by a domestic violence order that lasted 28 days. It was not renewed.

"Would the Deputy Prime Minister agree that all must be done to reassure the community and to bring the perpetrator to face justice and would she further agree that in some circumstances domestic abuse orders should last longer than 28 days when victims are most vulnerable?”

Ms Rayner replied: “My thoughts are with Harshita’s family in this horrific set of circumstances where she should have been protected and felt protected.

"This Government is committed to halving violence against women and girls and we continue to do our work hppefully across this house to make sure we can end circumstances that Harshita faced and we can end this barbaric action.”

An inquest into Harshita’s death was opened and adjourned this morning.