Lisa Hayden-Johnson was jailed after fabricating her son Matthew’s illnesses
Lisa Hayden-Johnson is defending herself years after being jailed for cruelty in a new Channel 4 series(Image: Channel 4)
Lisa Hayden-Johnson has defended her actions in a new Channel 4 documentary.
The Devon woman has spoken out for the first time since being released from prison. She was jailed in 2010 for three years and three months after admitting cruelty and perverting the course of justice.
It came after she falsely claimed that her son Matthew suffered from a range of illnesses including diabetes, food allergies, cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis.
Matthew’s supposed health battle attracted widespread media attention. The youngster went on to appear on various TV shows and was famously introduced to the Duchess of Cornwall, now Queen Camilla.
The young boy, now aged 25, was also subjected to medical interventions before doctors grew suspicious about his alleged health problems. Now, both mother and son are telling their sides of the story in new Channel 4 three-part series, Love You to Death.
A synopsis for the show states: “Young Matthew’s health problems worry medics and his mum Lisa. But when doctors’ efforts to improve Matthew’s condition don’t work, suspicions are raised and the police are called in to investigate.”
In the first episode, which aired on Wednesday (August 19), Lisa refutes the infamous ‘most evil mum’ title she earned as a result of the story.
She says: “I’ve never had the opportunity to [tell her story]. The newspaper articles are so incorrect. How can I be ‘Britain’s Most Evil Mother?'”
She goes on to add: “The only thing I was guilty of was putting my son first and fighting his battle, which is what I did. And I don’t regret that.”
Matthew, who will feature in the second episode of the series, spoke to the BBC about how it felt to hear his mother’s perspective.
He said: “It was a lot of disappointment but I think also frustration as almost two decades on, there is still a lack of accountability from her side.
“When I could see, even after two decades… she still holds the same story and believes that she did the best by me… that obviously isn’t right.” Matthew’s older sister, Laura, also speaks out in the documentary.
Love You To Death Episode 1 is streaming now on Channel 4