Surrey MP Proposes Christopher’s Law to Protect Vulnerable Adults
A Surrey MP Steps Up: The Case for Christopher’s Law
Chris Coghlan, the MP representing Dorking and Horley, has brought a deeply personal and urgent campaign to the floor of the House of Commons, introducing a 10 Minute Bill aimed at reforming the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The bill, championed alongside grieving mother Fiona Laskaris, is being called ‘Christopher’s Law’ in memory of her son Christopher, a 24-year-old autistic man who was tragically stabbed to death in 2017 by a convicted criminal.
Fiona has spoken openly about the years of exploitation and abuse her son suffered before his death, and how her repeated appeals to authorities went largely unheeded. Under the current legislation, individuals are presumed to have mental capacity unless proven otherwise — a default assumption that campaigners argue left Christopher dangerously unprotected.
Coghlan told the Commons that this proposed reform could ‘potentially save countless lives.’ For Surrey residents who have followed this story through local coverage on BBC Radio Surrey, hearing those words spoken in Parliament marked a significant turning point. Fiona herself described the moment Coghlan introduced the bill as ‘huge,’ reflecting years of tireless advocacy finally reaching the national stage.
What Christopher’s Law Would Change — and Why It Matters Locally
At its core, Christopher’s Law seeks to close a critical gap in the existing Mental Capacity Act. Currently, a formal assessment of an individual’s mental capacity is only triggered once doubt has been clearly established through official channels — a process that can be slow, bureaucratic, and, as this case tragically illustrates, fatally delayed.
The proposed reform would require that a capacity assessment be carried out whenever credible doubt is raised, including concerns raised by close family members. This is the change that Fiona Laskaris has fought for since losing her son — arguing that had such a mechanism existed, professionals would have been legally obligated to act on her warnings far sooner.
For communities across Surrey, this hits close to home. Many local families quietly navigate similar challenges, supporting loved ones with autism, learning disabilities, or other conditions that can affect independent decision-making. Local support networks, GP surgeries, and social services teams across Dorking, Reigate, Horley and surrounding villages are all touched by the implications of this legislation.
Much like the careful, structural work undertaken by specialists such as Guilford builders carrying out a loft conversion or loft rebuilding project — where safety assessments and proper checks are non-negotiable before work begins — this law would embed mandatory safeguarding checks into the system before harm can occur.
What Surrey Residents Can Do — and What to Watch Next
For local residents, this story is far from over. The 10 Minute Bill has been introduced, but it must now navigate the legislative process in Parliament. Campaigners and supporters of Christopher’s Law are urging the public to stay engaged and make their voices heard.
Fiona Laskaris has been candid in interviews, including her appearance on BBC Radio Surrey, that similar concerns about the Mental Capacity Act have been raised before without resulting in meaningful reform. She is determined that Christopher’s legacy will be different — and that his death will ultimately lead to stronger protections for vulnerable people across the country.
If you live in the Dorking and Horley constituency and want to support the campaign, contacting Chris Coghlan’s office directly is a meaningful first step. National mental health and disability advocacy organisations are also amplifying the campaign online.
For those with loved ones who may be vulnerable to exploitation, local services in Surrey including adult social care teams and mental health charities can offer guidance on navigating the current Mental Capacity Act framework in the meantime.
This is a story Surrey residents should continue to follow closely. The government has been approached for a formal response — and how they reply will say a great deal about the road ahead for Christopher’s Law.
Source: Surrey MP proposes bill that could ‘save countless lives’
