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Helen Newlove, the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, has died after a short illness, her office has said.
Lady Newlove, a Conservative life peer, was reappointed commissioner in October 2023 after two earlier terms in the role, and was due to serve until the end of this year.
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 read: “Under her leadership, the role of victims’ commissioner was transformed – growing in stature, influence and authority.
“She reshaped the office into a trusted voice and genuine force for victims: one that stands firmly on their side, champions their rights, and holds the justice system to account.
“This transformation stands as a testament to her work and will remain her enduring legacy.”
Newlove was a community campaigner and activist who came to national prominence in 2007 after the murder of her husband, Garry Newlove, who was attacked by a gang of youths outside their home.
As a result of her campaigning on behalf of victims and for authorities to take action against persistent antisocial behaviour and youth violence, she was nominated for a peerage by the then prime minister, David Cameron, in May 2010.
That same year, she was appointed government champion for active, safer communities. She served two terms as the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales from 2013 to 2019, and from 2023 as interim victims’ commissioner.
During her time in office, Newlove helped drive changes to place victims at the heart of the justice system and improve their experiences in court. This included laying the groundwork to enshrine victims’ rights in law, which contributed to the passage of the Victims and Prisoners Act (2024).
She also led important reviews of aspects of the victims’ code and the parole system, and explored the impact of antisocial behaviour in her 2019 report Living a Nightmare, which she revisited in 2024.
As commissioner, Newlove published the office’s largest surveys, with the most recent capturing the experiences of over 6,500 victims.
The commissioner’s office will continue to carry out the work Newlove directed until the end of her tenure on 31 December 2025. Claire Waxman will take up the role from 1 January 2026, as previously announced.
David Lammy, the justice secretary, said he was “deeply saddened” by the news.
“As both victims’ commissioner, and deputy speaker in the House of Lords, Helen brought unparalleled experience and dedication to her roles. She championed the rights of victims and witnesses and held agencies to account,” he said. “Helen was an extraordinary public servant whose life’s work and her legacy are defined by courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice.”
Peers also shared their tributes in the House of Lords on Wednesday. The former police ombudsman for Northern Ireland Nuala O’Loan described Newlove as a “very lovely person” who was “brave and effective” in her work.
The Labour peer and human rights lawyer Shami Chakrabarti, who worked with Newlove on victim’s rights, said: “She was a lovely person and never saw victims’ rights and due process as a zero-sum game.”
