Helen Newlove, the victims' commissioner for England and Wales, has died after a short illness, her office has confirmed. The 63-year-old Conservative life peer was reappointed to the role in October 2023 and was due to serve until the end of 2025.
Her office paid tribute to her as a “committed and passionate advocate for victims” who drew on her own experience of the criminal justice system to campaign for victims to be “treated with compassion, decency and respect”. A statement said: “Under her leadership, the role of victims’ commissioner was transformed – growing in stature, influence and authority.”
Lady Newlove came to national prominence after the murder of her husband, Garry Newlove, in 2007. He was attacked by a gang of youths outside their home. She was nominated for a peerage by then Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010 and served as government champion for active, safer communities that year. She was victims' commissioner from 2013 to 2019 and again from 2023 as interim commissioner.
During her tenure, she helped drive changes to place victims at the heart of the justice system, including groundwork for the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024. She also led reviews of the victims' code and parole system, and published reports on antisocial behaviour. Her office conducted large-scale surveys, with the most recent capturing over 6,500 victims' experiences.
Justice Secretary David Lammy said he was “deeply saddened” by the news, describing her as “an extraordinary public servant whose life’s work and her legacy are defined by courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice”. Peers in the House of Lords also paid tributes.
The commissioner's office will continue her work until the end of her term on 31 December 2025. Claire Waxman is set to take over from 1 January 2026.
