Her Honour (HH) Deborah Taylor, a former senior circuit judge, has been appointed to chair the statutory public inquiry into the Nottingham stabbing attacks that claimed the lives of three people and left several others seriously injured in June 2023.
The appointment was confirmed today in the House of Commons by the Lord Chancellor, The Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP, who stressed the inquiry’s importance for the bereaved families and survivors. The public inquiry will examine how the attacks were allowed to occur, scrutinising the actions of key agencies including Nottinghamshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
A Tragic Incident
The attack shocked the nation when Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were fatally stabbed by Valdo Calocane. Three others were also seriously injured in a rampage through the streets of Nottingham. The incident raised urgent questions about public safety, mental health interventions, and law enforcement response.
Inquiry Powers and Timeline
The statutory inquiry, led by HH Deborah Taylor, will have the authority to:
- Compel witnesses
- Review agency conduct and cooperation
- Establish a full account of the facts
- Make recommendations to prevent similar tragedies
The Prime Minister has committed to a timeline of two years for the inquiry to publish its findings.
HH Taylor has already begun consulting with the families and survivors of the victims, ensuring their voices are reflected in the inquiry’s scope. The full Terms of Reference are expected to be published soon.
Ministerial Support
Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood stated:
“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.”
Alex Davies-Jones MP, Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, added:
“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.”
Families Seek Answers
The families of the victims have been consistently calling for a full and transparent inquiry. They were present in the public gallery during today’s announcement and are expected to remain closely involved in the process as it unfolds.
The inquiry marks a significant step toward accountability and healing, aiming to identify failings and improve systems to safeguard the public in the future.
