A public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks has revealed a "catastrophic collapse of responsibility" and an "undoubted miscarriage of justice," according to the mother of one of the victims. Valdo Calocane fatally stabbed students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and school caretaker Ian Coates, in Nottingham on June 13, 2023. Calocane had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020.

The 14-week public inquiry, which concluded on Friday, examined the events leading up to and following the attacks. At a press conference in London on Monday, Emma Webber, Barnaby's mother, described the inquiry process as "brutal, bruising and harrowing beyond measure - but it was so very necessary."

Webber stated that there had been a "cover-up over candour," asserting that the attacks were not a result of "bad luck." She emphasized that the inquiry's findings, expected in spring next year, should not prevent immediate action. "This isn't about vengeance, it's about doing the right thing. Excuses stop here and accountability starts today," she added.

The families are calling for urgent re-examination and are urging the government to meet with them within the next month. They are also exploring "every single option" and expect to meet with the Attorney General, as stated by Emma Webber in an earlier BBC Woman's Hour interview.

Lawyer Neil Hudgell, representing the bereaved families, noted that there was no legal avenue for the families to alter Calocane's sentence. Their strategy involves engaging with the Prime Minister and the Health Secretary.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman commented that the government is "determined to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again." The spokesman added that the Nottingham Inquiry is crucial for understanding the events and that the government is "committed to delivering the fundamental changes needed to prevent violence by those who are mentally unwell."

The inquiry's focus on the systemic failures leading to the tragedy highlights critical questions about mental health care, policing, and the justice system's handling of individuals with severe mental illness. The families' persistent calls for accountability underscore the profound impact of the attacks and their desire for meaningful reform.

While the official findings are pending, the families' public statements signal a strong demand for transparency and change, aiming to prevent future tragedies and ensure that those responsible for oversight are held accountable.