The family of Ruth Ellis – the last woman to be hanged in Britain – is seeking a pardon for her.

The family claims she was a victim of an “historical injustice”.

Ellis, 28, was convicted at the Old Bailey of premeditated murder.

The jury took 14 minutes to make its decision.

A month after her conviction Ellis – a night-club hostess – she was hanged at Holloway Prison.

Ellis shot dead her lover – racing driver David Blakely – outside a Hampstead pub in July 1955.

It was a tempestuous relationship.

Her family has now written to David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice, asking for a posthumous conditional pardon.

It’s argued Ellis was a victim of a long-term, systematic emotional, sexual and physical abuse, relationship with Blakely.

None of these were considered at the trial.

Laura Enston, Ellis’ granddaughter, said:

“Ruth’s execution has had a devastating impact on our family.

“My mother and uncle suffered from trauma from which neither of them were able to recover, and, as grandchildren, we have felt these ripple effects.

“We are determined to do what we can to right this historic injustice and honour not only Ruth but all victims of domestic abuse who have been let down by the criminal justice system.”

The pardon application claims evidence of her physical and sexual abuse was not given at her trial.

Also, how the defences of diminished responsibility and loss of control were not available to her.

Alex Bailin KC, for the family, said:

“If Ruth’s case had taken place in modern times, she would have been able to plead a defence of diminished responsibility or loss of control.

“A posthumous conditional pardon for Ruth Ellis would correct a historical wrong and send a clear message to the public that violence against women and girls is never acceptable.”