Canadian man who allegedly sold lethal chemical will not be tried in UK

The Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to charge a Canadian man accused of selling a lethal chemical linked to the deaths of 73 British people, prompting anger from UK families. Kenneth Law, a former chef, is expected to admit 14 counts of assisting suicides in Canada when he appears in court in Ontario later on Friday. Prosecutors there allege he marketed and sold lethal quantities of a substance online, sending packages to approximately 1,200 people worldwide.

CPS Decision and Legal Rationale

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the Canadian legal system will take the losses of UK families into account. A letter from the CPS, seen by the BBC, stated that Law would not face charges in the UK due to legal complexities. British detectives initially investigated whether 88 deaths were linked to Law’s chemical packages, but the CPS letter to UK families said it believed 73 deaths could be linked to him. The letter also noted that Law was expected to accept sending 330 packages to the United Kingdom.

Family Reaction and Call for Inquiry

David Parfett, whose 22-year-old son Thomas used the substance allegedly sold by Law, expressed anger at the decision. "I had wanted Law to face charges in the UK... he really needed to face justice over here," Parfett said. He described Law as having caused "devastation" and called on the UK government to hold a public inquiry into the deaths. "I think that a public inquiry is needed because we need action across multiple government departments and unfortunately, we are not seeing that coordination and that understanding of how to address the problem today," Parfett said. "Fundamentally, the government is failing in its duty to protect life." The BBC has approached the Home Office for comment.

Victim’s Background

David Parfett remembered his son Thomas, who died in 2021, as someone who "really saw the joy in life." "Tom was somebody who really saw the joy in life. He would find humour in the weirdest places. I often think about his laugh," Parfett said. "Tom was a massive football fan and he was a good footballer as well. I miss the opportunity to enjoy the 2026 World Cup with him." Thomas Parfett was described by his father as a "massive football fan."

Canadian Criminal Proceedings and Investigation

Law was charged with 14 counts of assisting suicides in Canada and 14 counts of second-degree murder following his arrest in 2023. His capture resulted from a complex investigation involving at least 11 law-enforcement agencies and investigators from around a dozen countries, including the UK, Italy, and the United States. Law will appear in court in Ontario, Canada later on Friday. If you or anyone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this article, details of organisations offering information are available at BBC Action Line.

Context

In a similar case, an inquest was adjourned for a man who died after buying poison online. Separately, a Canadian man described as a "poison killer" was ordered to head straight to trial in Canada.