Chair appointed for public inquiry into Nottingham stabbing attack
The Lord Chancellor has confirmed that former judge Her Honour Deborah Taylor will chair a statutory inquiry into the Nottingham attacks which saw three people stabbed to death.
Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were killed and three others seriously injured by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham in June 2023.
Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood told the House of Commons on Tuesday (April 22) that Ms Taylor would undertake “a thorough, independent assessment” of the events that culminated in the brutal attacks, and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents.
The inquiry will have the power to examine all the agencies involved, including Nottinghamshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), compel witnesses, and establish the facts.
The Prime Minister has committed that the inquiry should report within two years.
The bereaved families and survivors of the attack were present in the public gallery during the Lord Chancellor’s announcement.
The Lord Chancellor said: “The bereaved families and survivors of the Nottingham attack, who have suffered so much, deserve to know how these horrific attacks were able to happen.
“I am pleased to appoint Her Honour Deborah Taylor as the chair of this inquiry. She brings deep experience to the role, and I know she will undertake a fearless and thorough examination of the facts.
Ms Taylor, a retired senior circuit judge, has already engaged with survivors and victims’ families, and taken views on the draft Terms of Reference, which will be laid in due course.
Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones, said: “My thoughts remain with the bereaved families and survivors of this terrible incident, who in the face of such tragedy, have consistently called for an Inquiry.
“It is important for the bereaved families and survivors that this Inquiry reports without undue delay which is why the Prime Minister has committed the inquiry should report in two years.”
There have been nine separate reviews into various elements of the Nottingham attacks including: Valdo Calocane’s healthcare and the healthcare institution; actions by Nottinghamshire Police and Leicestershire Police; and decisions of the CPS.
Independent Office for Police Conduct investigations into the actions of the Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire police forces are ongoing.
The Law Commission is also undertaking a review into homicide law and will consider the partial defence of diminished responsibility.
Ms Taylor was a Senior Circuit Judge, Resident Judge at Southwark Crown Court and Recorder of Westminster until her retirement from the judiciary in December 2022. She was then Treasurer of Inner Temple, where she advocated for greater diversity at the Bar.
Ms Taylor has chaired the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board since July 2023.