An MP slammed “a pathetic response” from Prime Minister Theresa May over a suspected killer believed to be in India.

For two months in 2009, a series of sexual assaults on women in Walthamstow culminated in the rape and murder of Michelle Samaraweera.

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy is fighting to get suspect Aman Vyas, extradited back to the UK from India so he can face trail for this and eight other counts of sexual assault.

Ms Samaraweera was attacked and strangled in 2009 after going out to buy a pint of milk. She was 35 years old.

Mr Vyas is wanted by UK police over the alleged rape and murder and has avoided extradition back to Britain for the past seven years.

The suspect was in the UK on a student visa at the time.

The MP raised the issue at today’s Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.

Ms Creasy asked Theresa May to raise the issue with India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modhi, during his upcoming state visit to London.

Ms Creasy said: “Walthamstow has never stopped fighting for [Michelle’s] killer to be brought to justice. Today tells us that we cannot rely on our Prime Minister to help, unlike her predecessor who made the case a priority. Theresa May refused today my plea for her help to raise this case with Prime Minister Modhi whilst he is in London.

“I cannot but be desperately disappointed by a Prime Minister who seems to care so little about securing the extradition of someone accused of eight counts of sexual violence and murder against British citizens – I am sure the families of the victims involved will also wonder what it is about them that means she isn’t interested in helping secure justice for Michelle.”

There have been 47 hearings on the case in the nine years since Ms Samaraweera’s murder. Mr Vyas’ lawyers have delayed the extradition process multiple times over that period.

In response to Ms Creasy’s enquiry, Theresa May said: “It is important that we recognise the independence of the judiciary in both countries.”