The family of Molly Russell is appealing a decision to deny them legal aid for the teenager’s inquest, as her father has said he is “stunned” by the ruling.

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) has refused their application on the grounds that the case is not “a matter of wider public interest”.

The decision has been criticised by the Russell family’s solicitor, Merry Varney, who described it as an example of how “bereaved families are appallingly treated” by a “broken system”.

Molly took her life six days before her 15th birthday in 2017 after viewing self-harm and suicide material on social media.

The Russell family believe that the images Molly saw contributed to her state of mind and eventual death and have sought legal aid to ensure that the circumstances around her suicide are thoroughly investigated.

Ian Russell, Molly’s father, said the LAA’s decision had left the family “in limbo” with the teenager’s inquest approaching.

He said: “We were stunned by the Legal Aid Agency’s decision that Molly’s inquest is not a matter of wider public interest.

“We know that there are huge numbers of young people out there who are viewing the same kind of disturbing content online and that parents are concerned about what, if anything, is being done to protect young people.