A former victims' commissioner is returning to the role on an interim basis – a year after Dame Vera Baird stepped down and accused the government of 'downgrading' victims' interests.

The Ministry of Justice today announced that community reform campaigner Baroness Newlove, who was commissioner between 2013 and 2019, has been reappointed for a year while the government embarks on a fresh recruitment campaign for a permanent office-holder.

Dame Vera Baird, who succeeded Newlove in 2019, confirmed her departure last September in a scathing letter which said little had been done to effectively tackle the 'enormous and catastrophic’ court backlog and that it was ‘no exaggeration to say that the criminal justice system is in chaos'.

The ministry said the decision to appoint a temporary commissioner was made to enable a new recruitment campaign to better reflect the new responsibilities the role will have once the Victims and Prisoners Bill is passed.

Baroness Newlove

Baroness Newlove, who was commissioner between 2013 and 2019, has been reappointed for a year

Source: Parliament.co.uk

Lord chancellor Alex Chalk said: 'As a tireless advocate and campaigner for victims’ rights, there is no safer pair of hands than Baroness Newlove to hold this position as we recruit a permanent Victims’ Commissioner. This role is vital in holding the government and criminal justice agencies to account and being the voice for those affected by crime, and I very much look forward to working with her.'

Newlove, whose husband Garry was murdered by youths outside the family home in 2007, said: 'I know first-hand the emotions and the pain victims experience on their journey through the criminal justice system. I am also aware of the many challenges they have faced in recent years. That’s why I am so passionate about championing their cause. I want to see their needs and rights at the forefront of our criminal justice system.

'My priority this year is to ensure the Victims and Prisoners Bill, currently making its way through parliament, truly delivers for all victims. I want to see this bill transform the victim experience so that victims feel heard, respected, and supported throughout the criminal justice process. This has long been my aspiration and this bill is an opportunity to make it a reality.'

 

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