Baroness Helen Newlove, victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, has died aged 63 after a brief illness, her office said.
The Conservative peer was appointed to the role twice after becoming an activist and campaigner following the death of her husband Garry, who was killed when he confronted a group of youths outside the couple’s home.
“Helen was a committed and passionate advocate for victims,” her office said in a statement, adding that she was a “dear friend and respected colleague” who “transformed” the role of commissioner.
Tributes were paid in the House of Lords, while Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy praised his “unparalleled experience and dedication” to his role.
She was recently appointed to the position in 2023 and was due to serve until the end of this year. She previously served as commissioner from 2012 to 2019.
Lammy called her an “extraordinary public servant” and said: “Her leadership shaped the Victims Code, strengthened victims’ voices in the criminal justice system and ensured the Victims and Prisoners Act moved forward with victims’ interests in mind.”
“She defended the rights of victims and witnesses and held agencies accountable.”
Her office said Baroness Newlove “consistently led by example” and that she “reshaped the office into a trusted voice and genuine force for victims.”
He added that he was carried away by his own experience in the criminal justice system.
In August 2007, her husband, 47, died when he confronted a gang of youths who had vandalized his car in Warrington, Cheshire.
At the time, the court heard he was kicked “like a football” in front of his daughters during the attack.
Three teenagers were convicted of her murder in January 2008, and Lady Newlove was made a life peer for her work on youth crime in 2010.
“She was determined that all victims be treated with compassion, decency and respect, and she always led by example,” her office said.
Baroness Barker, a Liberal Democrat, said his dedication to standing up for victims regardless of who was in government at the time was “a very commendable thing to witness”.
Conservative leader Lord Kamall remembered her as a “fierce campaigner”, while Baroness O’Loan, an independent member, hailed her as a “very lovely person”.
The former Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman added that she was “very brave and effective in everything she did”.
He added: “She will be deeply missed, not only by her family, to whom I am sure we all send our deepest condolences, but also by many of us in this House and in the outside world.”
