Starmer vows judge-led public inquiry into Nottingham attacks will begin in weeks after meeting victims’ families

A PUBLIC inquiry into the Nottingham attack will take place "in a matter of weeks", Sir Keir Starmer has said. Valdo Calocane, 33, killed Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, in Nottingham in June 2023. He stabbed the two students to death at around 4am before also knifing school caretaker Ian. He also tried to kill three others by using a van to run them over. Today the families of the victims met with the Prime Minister at No 10.

During an emotional meeting, the families were told a “number of different agencies” would be scrutinised by the public probe. It comes after Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January last year. He early admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility and attempted murder. But a report last week detailed how medics let the triple killer refuse antipsychotic medication because he “did not like needles”.

The paranoid schizophrenic was instead permitted to turn down the slow-release drugs despite “lacking capacity” to make decisions about his own care. The risk he posed was “not fully understood, managed, documented or communicated”, the report added. The Prime Minister said focusing on just one aspect of the case would not be right as he did not "think that will do justice". A retired judge is due to be appointed in due course, with the PM adding: “As soon as that happens, the process will start.”.

The families had earlier called for a statutory inquiry in order for witnesses to be compelled to give evidence. Sir Keir agreed it is important for it to be statutory so witnesses could “answer questions about their actions and their decisions”. The PM also acknowledged it had “taken a long time” to reach a decision on announcing an inquiry. Opening the meeting, he said: "I gave you my word that we would push for a judge-led inquiry.

"We have looked at the papers… and today I can confirm there will be a judge-led inquiry into this case. "More than that, it will be a statutory inquiry.". He added: "I’m really pleased that we have got that far and I want to make sure you are at the heart of this. "I know, acutely, you didn’t feel that before, and we will do everything we can to make sure you are at the heart of this.". Grace's Dad Dr Sanjoy Kumar, got up from his chair and shook the Prime Minister’s hand with tears in his eyes as Sir Keir told the families the news.

Barnaby's mum Emma Webber also applauded the announcement. Emma, who sat next to the PM during the meeting, said “you can’t bring him back”, to which Sir Keir replied: “I can’t imagine what it is like.”. The mum then said: “You don’t want to.”. The PM there would be "ongoing dialogue" and, when asked if there was any chance the decision could be “U-turned”, he said: “No.”. Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Webber said: “The first bit of positive news that we’ve been able to have for a very, very long time. We’re still processing it.”.