Baroness Helen Newlove, the victims’ commissioner for England and Wales, has died aged 63 following a short illness, her office has said.
The Conservative peer was appointed to the role twice after becoming a campaigner and activist 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 a respected colleague” who “transformed” the role of commissioner.
Tributes were paid in the House of Lords, while Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy praised her “unparalleled experience and dedication” to her role.
She was most recently appointed to the role in 2023, and was due to serve until the end of this year. She previously served as commissioner from 2012 to 2019.
Calling her an “extraordinary public servant”, Lammy said: “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’ interests at its heart.
“She championed the rights of victims and witnesses and held agencies to account.”
Her office said Baroness Newlove “consistently led by example”, and that she “reshaped the office into a trusted voice and genuine force for victims”.
It added that she was driven by her own experience of the criminal justice system.
In August 2007, her 47-year-old husband was killed when he confronted a gang of youths who had vandalised their car, in Warrington, Cheshire.
At the time, the court heard that he was kicked “like a football” in front of his daughters during the attack.
Three teenagers were convicted of his 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 should be treated with compassion, decency and respect – and she consistently led by example,” her office said.
Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Barker said her dedication to defend victims regardless of who was in government at the time, “a very laudable thing to witness”.
Conservative frontbencher Lord Kamall remembered her as a “fierce campaigner”, while independent crossbencher Baroness O’Loan, hailed her as a “very lovely person”.
The former police ombudsman for Northern Ireland added that she was “so brave and effective in all that she did”.
He added: “She will be sorely missed, not only by her family, to whom I’m sure we all send great sympathy, but also by so many of us in this House and in the world beyond”.