Inquest legal aid granted on appeal

The family of 14-year-old Molly Russell has been granted legal aid for her inquest. The teenager, who was found dead in her bedroom, had been viewing online and social media material linked to anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide which her family believe contributed to her state of mind and her death. Following an appeal, the Legal Aid Agency confirmed this week that it will pay the family’s legal costs. The Russell family’s solicitor, Merry Varney, solicitor at Leigh Day, said: ‘It is disappointing that our clients had to go through the appeal process to get to a positive outcome.’