If one parent kills the other, the murderer shouldn’t automatically have custody of the couple’s children, Manu Sareen – the minister for children, gender equality, integration and social affairs – has told TV2 Nyheder. The government plans to change the law in what represents a U-turn.

This follows a number of cases in which, for example, the parents of a murdered mother have had to ask the convicted killer for the right to see their grandchildren.

In the case of Hafida Bourouih, whose ex-husband is awaiting trial for her murder, the couple’s two children have had to move from the victim’s brother to the ex-husband’s parents since he sought custody.

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Hassan Brouih, the brother of Hafida, and his wife had also applied for custody. “We are in shock about the decision,” he told TV2.

“How can you reward a murder in this way for having killed the children’s mother. It’s awful what those children have been through.”