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Nottingham Incident
14 June 2023
Lead MP
Suella Braverman
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 20
At a Glance
Suella Braverman raised concerns about nottingham incident in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Government Statement
The Home Secretary Suella Braverman addressed the House concerning a horrific incident that occurred in Nottingham where three individuals were killed, with another three injured. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after committing these acts; one person died from knife wounds and two others perished as a result of being hit by a stolen van. Two victims were students at the University of Nottingham, and the third victim was the van's owner whose vehicle was allegedly used in the attack. The Home Secretary expressed sorrow for those affected and praised emergency services for their professional response. She emphasised the importance of due process and patience while investigations continue, despite public demand for immediate answers. Counter-terror police are assisting with inquiries but it is not classified as a terrorist act at this stage. Resources of the state remain available to Nottingham.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
Cooper thanked the Home Secretary for her statement and expressed sorrow over the attack. She paid tribute to three victims and acknowledged those injured and their families. She welcomed the early involvement of counter-terror police but sought clarity on its necessity without prejudging conclusions, and asked about support available to affected parties.
Minister reply
The Home Secretary thanked Cooper for her sentiments and confirmed that Nottinghamshire police are leading the investigation with searches conducted across the city. Specialised officers provide emergency care for victim families while inquiries continue. She echoed the sentiment of sorrow from the Prime Minister.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Lewis asked if it is both important and understandable that security agencies have the capacity to investigate individuals' online activities and whether high-tech companies have a moral and legal duty to cooperate, given the need for thorough investigation of incidents like this.
Minister reply
The Home Secretary agreed with Lewis's points regarding joint emergency services interoperability principles (JESIP) designed to improve inter-agency cooperation. She mentioned that when an attack has an online element, a crisis response protocol is enacted to handle such situations.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Question
I thank the Home Secretary for advance sight of her statement. On behalf of the SNP, may I extend our condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Barnaby Webber, Grace Kumar and Ian Coates? Our thoughts are also with those injured and the people of Nottingham more widely. What more is being done to provide reassurance to all parts of the community in Nottingham and to prevent the spreading of speculation, which she mentioned in her statement?
Minister reply
Nottinghamshire police, working with local authorities and agencies, are working intensively to ensure not only that the investigation work is carried out effectively, but that those directly affected by this terrible incident are getting all the support they are entitled to.
Darren Henry
Con
High Peak
Question
Yesterday’s horrific attacks in Nottingham city have devastated our county. Three innocent lives have been lost, and I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the families of those who have died and my thoughts to those who are injured. Can the Home Secretary say whether she has identified any additional support that Nottinghamshire police need at this time?
Minister reply
It is particularly galling that a vibrant, youthful university community will be so tragically affected by this tragic incident. The university is supporting the students’ family and friends, as well as staff and the student body. It is working closely with the authorities on the ongoing investigation into the incident.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
I thank the Home Secretary for making this statement today and for the information that she has been able to pass on to the House. I also extend my thoughts and prayers to all those who were killed and injured, and their families and friends. Can the Home Secretary say whether she has identified any additional support that Nottinghamshire police need at this time?
Minister reply
I am in personal and regular contact with the chief constable of Nottinghamshire police, and I have made that offer very clear to her. We stand ready here at the Home Office to help in whatever way she requests.
Rushcliffe
Question
Will the Home Secretary join me in praising the emergency services for their work and for reacting so quickly? Will she also praise not just the whole community of Nottingham, but our students and our universities?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend speaks for his constituents and the people of Nottinghamshire when he sets out our thanks, admiration and gratitude for those on the frontline and in the emergency services who are responding right now to the tragic consequences of this terrible incident.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Question
I send my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of yesterday’s attacks. Will the Home Secretary join me in paying tribute to the people of Nottingham and their unity and resilience at this painful time?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady speaks with passion and care for her constituents and I echo the sentiment that she has expressed. The people of Nottingham will be shaken beyond belief over the events of the past few days.
Tom Randall
Con
Great Grimsby
Question
Nottingham is a great city with a proud history and a bright future, so to see that these crimes have unfolded across my home city has been deeply upsetting. Will the Home Secretary join me in encouraging those who have been affected in any way to seek the support that they need?
Minister reply
There has been a magnificent response from the local authorities and the local emergency services. There is a wide range of extensive support on offer for the families and those who are affected by the incident.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Question
Will the Home Secretary give a commitment to our city that she will ensure that Nottinghamshire police have the resources they need not only to keep our city safe, but to provide all our residents with the reassurance that they need?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for her words. She is absolutely right: the people of Nottingham will feel grief, fear and profoundly disturbed by what has happened in their homes.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
What reassurances can the Home Secretary give to the people of Ashfield, the whole of Nottinghamshire and Nottingham city especially that they are safe and that the police are getting all the resources that they need?
Minister reply
People can feel safe in Nottingham going forward. I know that that is difficult for many people to feel in the immediate aftermath of a terrible incident of the type that we have just seen.
Alex Norris
Lab Co-op
Nottingham North and Kimberley
Question
Will the Home Secretary commit her Department’s support to these important efforts?
Minister reply
I say simply, yes. The hon. Gentleman speaks with devotion and care for his residents and constituents. Frankly, there are no words to describe the pain and anguish that people in Nottingham are feeling right now.
Maggie Throup
Labour Co-op
Erewash
Question
Many Erewash residents work and socialise in Nottingham, where two young people lost their lives recently. What more can be done to support the hidden victims who are now fearful of going out or into the city centre?
Minister reply
The local authority is working intensively to ensure that the right support is provided for those affected by what has happened.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
Can the Home Secretary reassure the House that, when we know what was at the root of this incident, every lesson possible will be learned from it and justice will be done for the families?
Minister reply
Once the police establish facts and bring charges, the facts will be aired in the proper course of justice.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Question
Can we make sure there is a degree of outreach to all those people who worked with Grace O'Malley-Kumar and helped her to grow, recognising the ripple effects of this tragedy will be felt far and wide?
Minister reply
The Home Secretary acknowledges that the ripple effects of this tragedy will indeed be felt far beyond Nottingham.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Will the Home Secretary ensure that any details relating to the motivation behind the attack will be revealed to the general public, so that future predators and murderers can be identified?
Minister reply
Decisions such as that are for the police. Once they establish facts and if there is an ensuing prosecution, those facts will be aired in court.
Question
Will the Home Secretary underline that the whole House is united in condemnation of what has happened?
Minister reply
Absolutely. This tragedy cannot be condoned but must be condemned in the strongest possible way, and on this point the House is united.
Question
Please can we also remember all those young people who shared their love of sport with Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber?
Minister reply
The Home Secretary sends her love to the families, friends, and everyone affected by this tragedy.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
Question
Will the Home Secretary give an assurance that, as soon as the police are able to inform the House of the position, she will relay that widely? Will she also update the House on the reasons and rationale for this attack?
Minister reply
Nottinghamshire Police are doing a good job of regularly updating the public. The Home Secretary must allow them to carry out their investigations in the fullest and safest way possible.
Question
Will the Home Secretary underline her commitment to tackling knife crime, which is one of her top priorities? Can she give an update on the consultation and when it might be published?
Minister reply
The Government have made £130 million available this year to tackle serious violence including murder and knife crime.
Shadow Comment
Yvette Cooper
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed condolences and solidarity with the victims' families and friends. She paid tribute to Barnaby Webber, Grace Kumar, and Ian Coates, acknowledging their contributions and promising support for their loved ones, colleagues, and communities. Cooper welcomed the involvement of counter-terror police at an early stage but sought clarification on whether this was a sensible approach without prejudging the investigation's conclusions. She also inquired about a timetable for updates and asked what support is available to victims' families and emergency services.
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