The Law Commission for England and Wales made the call after the children of a man who murdered his parents were denied their inheritance.

The grandparents of the children had not made a will when they were killed, which meant their property had to be distributed under intestacy rules.

Their son could not receive anything because he had carried out the murder.

But under the current laws, his children cannot inherit the money either.

Legislation states that in such cases the children cannot benefit if the grandparents were murdered by either the children's mother or father or both.

The Law Commission, which reviews the law and makes recommendations to Parliament, says the rules need to be amended so that innocent people are not penalised because of the crimes of their parents.