The parents of Barnaby Webber, a victim of the Nottingham stabbing attacks, express their horror at the absence of plans for a comprehensive public inquiry into the tragic incidents. The 19-year-old student was brutally stabbed by Valdo Calocane on June 13th, along with his friend Grace O’Malley Kumar, who also lost her life in the same attack. Calocane, who admitted manslaughter, went on to kill 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates and attempted to harm three other individuals during his violent spree.
Emma Webber, Barnaby’s mother, shared her dismay on BBC Breakfast, stating, “I’m pretty disgusted and disappointed that we’re even here talking about this today. We foolishly trusted in the criminal justice system, thinking we would have a voice to address knife crime, the lack of proper support for victims’ families, and the failures leading up to this.”
She emphasized the unexpected need to advocate for a public inquiry on top of the existing tragedy and trauma. Expressing dissatisfaction with the current situation, she highlighted the mistakes that were made and urged for the voices of Barnaby, Grace, and Ian to be heard and examined properly.
In addition to the call for a public inquiry, questions arise about the media’s handling of the case. Concerns are raised about the lack of exploration into the potential racial aspects of the crime, as well as Valdo Calocane’s internet history, subscribed channels, and social media presence. The inquiry could delve into his interests, habits leading up to the incident, and details about his residence.
A special review has been initiated into the NHS trust that treated Calocane for mental illness before the attacks. However, Miss Webber dismissed it as insufficient, calling for a full public inquiry. She disagreed with Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, emphasizing concerns about mental health failings not being exclusive to Nottingham but potentially prevalent nationwide. Miss Webber also raised issues with the police’s failure to investigate adequately before the attacks and the subsequent case investigation.
Barnaby’s father, David Webber, echoed his wife’s sentiments, expressing horror at the lack of plans for an inquiry. He criticized the rushed acceptance of Calocane’s admission of manslaughter, stating, “If they don’t feel that warrants a public inquiry, what does? It’s disgusting.”
In response, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins defended the decision for a special review, aiming to provide quicker answers. She highlighted the desire to address concerns promptly, assuring that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) would report back by the end of March to recommend practical measures to enhance services and ensure the safety of families and residents in Nottinghamshire.
Calocane, 32, received a hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility, with the court revealing his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Bereaved relatives criticized the sentence, prompting the Attorney General to investigate its possible leniency. The broader inquiry into the media’s coverage could shed light on crucial aspects like the racial dimension of the crime, Calocane’s online presence, and any warning signs that may have been missed.
