Mother of Barnaby Webber, killed in 2023 Nottingham attacks, says ‘people need to be held to account’ following announcement of public inquiry into Valdo Calocane
The mother of Barnaby Webber has said ‘people need to be held to account’ after it was announced a public inquiry would be held into the 2023 Nottingham attacks.
In June 2023, Nottingham was struck by tragedy when former University of Nottingham student Valdo Calocane killed 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley, and Ian Coates, 65.
Calocane also attempted to murder three other pedestrians who were hit by a van, including Newark man Wayne Birkett.
He was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January 2023 after he admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder.
The families of the three victims met with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday (February 12), when it was announced that a judge-led public enquiry would be launched, after the families called for a statutory inquiry in order for witnesses to be compelled to give evidence.
Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby, said the launch of the inquiry is the “first time we can let our thoughts be heard and do what we want in our journey”, while speaking at the opening of the National Grief Advice Service in Grantham today (Friday (February 14).
She said: “It was surreal [to meet with Keir Starmer], but our life has become surreal.
“We have been fighting hard and the agencies and individuals involved from the beginning right up to this week will be compelled to give evidence and tell the truth.
“Grace’s dad [Dr Sanjoy Kumar] said they talk about systemic change, but these systems are made up of people that need to be held to account.
“The inquiry is a part of our fight and what we want. Going forward this is enormous.
“There is evidence he [Calocane] is not where he should be.
“We are not demonising the public services at all, but they need to be held to account.”
A retired judge is due to be appointed to lead the inquiry and it is said it will begin “within a matter of weeks”.