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The families of the victims killed in the Nottingham attacks have described the upcoming public inquiry as a crucial moment to assess whether the country is willing to acknowledge shortcomings and implement necessary changes. The inquiry, led by a judge, will scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Ian Coates, aged 65, and two university students, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, who were killed by Valdo Calocane in June 2023.
Testimonies will focus on the involvement and responsibilities of various agencies that had previously worked with Calocane, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Barnaby Webber’s mother, Emma Webber, has openly demanded accountability that reaches down to the individual level. Scheduled to continue until May, this statutory public inquiry is happening in London and seeks to uncover detailed facts about the case.
Valdo Calocane is currently under a hospital order after admitting to three counts of manslaughter with diminished responsibility, as well as three counts of attempted murder. Despite this legal outcome, the families affected by the tragedy have expressed dissatisfaction, feeling it falls short of justice. Emma Webber made a public statement on the first day of the hearings outside the inquiry venue, emphasizing that this process is more than an inquiry; it is a test of whether meaningful change will follow.
She stated: “Today is not simply the start of an inquiry, it is a test of whether this country is prepared to confront failure and fix it. For years we have heard apologies. We have seen reviews, we have read reports, but apologies do not keep the public safe – change does.” Emma stressed the families’ aim is not sympathy but tangible reform to protect others in the future. She called for sweeping safeguards, reflecting the legacy that Barnaby, Grace, and Ian deserve, which she said public safety demands. Emma also told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the forthcoming nine weeks would be intense but necessary, highlighting the broad institutional failures and the urgent need for transparency and accountability.
Prior to the attacks, Calocane was known to Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and had previous interactions with the police. Following his sentencing, multiple reviews have exposed significant deficiencies in the care and oversight he received. After continued pressure from survivors and bereaved families, the Prime Minister agreed last year to establish the inquiry. Retired judge Her Honour Deborah Taylor chairs the panel, which will collect evidence until the end of May.
Judge Taylor acknowledged the immense struggle families have faced in seeking answers, saying, “In getting to this point, they’ve climbed mountains only to find that they reached false summit after false summit.” The inquiry’s purpose is to assess what occurred, what might have been done differently, and what should have been done to prevent such tragedy. Unlike previous investigations conducted by individual organizations, this inquiry will take a comprehensive look at all the events leading up to the attacks.
Rachel Langdale KC, counsel to the inquiry, highlighted that the inquiry will incorporate concerns from survivors and the families, presenting a timeline of Calocane’s history of mental health issues, his interactions with the NHS, the police, and other agencies. Calocane, referred to as VC in the hearings, had faced multiple arrests and detentions under the Mental Health Act starting from 2020, linked to his paranoid delusions and psychosis. Langdale stated that key themes and criticisms emerged from prior investigations, which provide a foundational basis for the inquiry’s work. Following the completion of evidence, the inquiry chair will submit a detailed report with recommendations due by May 2027
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