Two investigations are still awaiting crucial statements from Kate Meynell
Former Chief Constable Kate Meynell pictured as she leaves Mary Ward House in London, after giving evidence at the Nottingham Inquiry(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
The police watchdog has still not received crucial statements from Nottinghamshire Police’s former boss relating to its investigations into the force.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) recently confirmed to the public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks that the conclusion of two investigations was dependent on getting witness statements from former Chief Constable Kate Meynell.
Ms Meynell herself gave evidence to the Nottingham Inquiry on March 20 and yet over a month later – she still has not given her statements to the IOPC.
It is understood that arrangements are being made to secure Ms Meynell’s witness statements and the IOPC’s boss previously said that once those statements have been received, two crucial investigations should conclude “swiftly.”
The investigations both relate to Nottinghamshire Police’s response to Valdo Calocane’s brutal attacks of June 13, 2023 – which claimed the lives of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates.
The IOPC currently has three live investigations ongoing in relation to Nottinghamshire Police’s response to the Nottingham attacks – as well as another that it might reopen and a separate probe into Leicestershire Police.
The two investigations awaiting Ms Meynell’s witness statements include one on a non-reportable media briefing that Nottinghamshire Police held in February 2024 and the force’s decision to complain about the Nottingham Post’s coverage relating to it.
The briefing began with the media outlets attending being asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement, but the Nottingham Post decided to reveal details from the briefing anyway in the public interest.
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Kate Meynell said she “acknowledges that the force has work to do”(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)
Nottinghamshire Police complained to the press regulator IPSO about our coverage of this briefing, claiming we were not made to sign a non-disclosure agreement, even though we were.
Ms Meynell said in her evidence to the inquiry that the complaint to the press regulator, which was promptly thrown out by that regulator, was a ‘mistake’.
The second investigation, triggered by a complaint to the IOPC from the bereaved families in March 2024, directly relates to Ms Meynell herself.
Specifically, the operation is looking at what she knew or should have known about Valdo Calocane, as well as her communication with the bereaved families.
Emma Webber: “We are so disappointed that Kate Meynell has still not provided her witness statements to the IOPC.
“We have instructed our legal team to make our concerns known to the DG of the IOPC, Rachel Watson.
“We deserve better and her conduct continues to add significant and cruel trauma . It’s unforgivable.”
Nottinghamshire Police announced in October 2025 that Kate Meynell would retire from her role as Chief Constable following a cancer diagnosis that spring and she officially left the role in March 2026.
The former police chief was due to begin a new policing job in April, before “deciding against” taking the role after giving evidence to the Nottingham Inquiry.
The East Midlands Special Operations Unit is now reviewing whether to scrap the role Ms Meynell applied for altogether. Meanwhile, Steve Cooper has been confirmed as Ms Meynell’s permanent replacement as Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable.
