Yesterday we reported on Anne Darwin, wife of John, who assisted her husband in faking his own death to earn an insurance payout back in 2002 and how she had been
mistaken for Rose West in prison. Now, Darwin has conducted her first TV interview since her release.
On the
This Morning programme, Darwin expressed her “dreadful shame” at tricking her sons into believing that their father was dead while living a double life.
Darwin and her husband spent years pretending that John had died when he was actually originally living close to their sons before moving for a new life in Panama. Speaking to the TV show, she described her behavior as “horrendous” and that the guilt she felt towards her two sons would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Commenting that she felt relief when the plot was eventually revealed, Darwin described how John was supposedly the instigator of the idea.
“I am dreadfully ashamed of that - I never should have done it but I just didn't have the confidence to stand up against John,” she said.
“It was absolutely horrendous and looking back I don't know how I managed to do it, I really can’t, and I have go to live with that regret for the rest of my life.”
She also claimed that she wanted to admit the truth on several occasions but that her efforts were overruled by her husband and that the situation soon became so deep “you can’t find a way out.”
Her husband eventually returned to the UK because of a change in visa rules – and claimed he had suffered amnesia. However, Anne Darwin claims she knew at this point that their efforts were over.
“He was convinced that he would get away with this story of amnesia,” she said. “I never expected him to get way with that at all.
“I was just relieved to think everything is coming to an end now and all the lies will end.”
The couple have since divorced with Ms Darwin released from prison after being given a six year and six month sentence.
However, her pleas for forgiveness appear to have fallen on deaf ears among the majority of the show’s viewership. Some wrote into the show to question whether Darwin was paid for the interview, with Philip Schofield later declaring on air that she was not. Here are some additional Twitter post reactions:
“Anne Darwin has lied to a nation before, how can we believe she’s sincere now!? #ThisMorning”
“Glad Anne Darwin not making money from her book. Hard to feel sympathy as she seems detached. How could she do that to her kids?”
“Anne Darwin ashamed of her actions wasted money and resources looking for her husband which could have been used elsewhere”
What do you make of her story? Has she served her time and earned forgiveness? Leave a comment with your thoughts.
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