Tribute paid to ‘fearless advocate for victims’

Warm tributes have been paid to victims’ rights activist Baroness Helen Newlove after her death at the age of 63.

The Conservative life peer started campaigning following the 2007 murder of her 47-year-old husband Garry, who had confronted a group of youths outside their home in Warrington, Cheshire.

Labour MP for Warrington North Charlotte Nichols said Baroness Newlove was “a fearless and courageous advocate for victims and survivors in the fight for justice”.

Baroness Newlove was twice appointed victims’ commissioner for England and Wales.

Nichols said she had last met Baroness Newlove a few weeks ago when they discussed her work examining violence against women and girls.

Baroness Newlove’s inspirational compassion and dedication was unparalleled, said Nichols.

“She will be an enormous loss to politics, missed by all those she worked so hard to support and champion, and of course most acutely by her family and friends.”

Three teenagers were convicted of Mr Newlove’s murder in January 2008.

Two years later, Helen Newlove was appointed to the House of Lords in recognition of her work aimed at tackling youth crime.

She had been due to stand down from her second term as victims’ commissioner in December.

Baroness Newlove laid the groundwork for victims’ rights to be enshrined in law, and last month published the largest survey of victims ever carried out by the independent body.

In an interview with BBC North West Tonight in 2024, she said her late husband Garry would “hopefully be very proud” of her work, adding that her daughters were.

She said: “It’s about humanity, isn’t it? We all believe there’s a system there to protect us and when you go in it and you find out it doesn’t, it’s a very lonely pathway.”

Labour MP for Warrington South Sarah Hall said Baroness Newlove was “a powerful voice for victims and a tireless advocate for fairness and dignity in our justice system”.

She added: “Her courage in turning a personal tragedy into a life of public service made a real difference to victims and their families across the country.”

In a Parliamentary debate last year, Hall said Baroness Newlove spoke of every statistic having a human face and representing a tragedy.

Baroness Newlove said: “As legislators, we owe it to them to try to rebalance our justice system.”

Hall commented: “Those words capture the compassion and moral clarity that defined her work, and they will remain her legacy.”

Former victims’ commissioner Dame Vera Baird KC told BBC North West Tonight that Baroness Newlove “turned all that pain over a process of change into a determination to stop it from happening to others and to get better justice for those to whom it did happen”.

Dame Vera added: “She saw herself as an ordinary woman speaking for ordinary people whose lives get wrecked by criminal behaviour and who are not given the support they should get to cope and recover.”

In a tribute released by her office, Baroness Newlove was described as “a committed and passionate advocate for victims… a dear friend and a respected colleague” who “transformed” the role of victims’ commissioner.

Justice Secretary David Lammy 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.”

A statement issued by Victim Support said Baroness Newlove had been “an extraordinary advocate for victims and a tireless campaigner for their causes”.

The tribute continued: “Throughout her tenures as victims’ commissioner she amplified victims’ voices, advocated for their rights, and worked relentlessly to improve their experiences.”

The organisation said her work and dedication bought about real and lasting change for victims and survivors across the country.

Former Conservative prime minister David Cameron said he was “desperately sad” to hear of Baroness Newlove’s death and described her as “wonderful, warm, brave and plain speaking”.

“My thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Helen’s husband, Paul, and her daughters, Zoe, Danielle and Amy.

“Helen leaves a legacy that they – and we all – can be proud of.”

Prisons Minister Lord Timpson said: “She held agencies to account.

“Her leadership shaped the Victims’ Code, strengthened victims’ voices in the criminal justice system and ensured that the Victims and Prisoners Act progressed with victims’ interest at its heart.”

Baroness Shami Chakrabarti described Baroness Newlove as a “brave and wonderful soul” and “much-loved”.

And presenter, writer and campaigner Baroness Floella Benjamin said: “She was a formidable woman and a fighter for justice for victims.

“Her presence will be truly missed but her legacy will live on. May she rest in peace.”