Sadiq pledges to tackle violence against women on anniversary of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman murder
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has pledged to tackle violence against women and address cultural issues within the Met on the fourth anniversary of the murder of two sisters.
On June 6, 2020, Danyal Hussein, 19, a former pupil of Thomas Tallis School in Eltham, repeatedly stabbed Bibaa Henry, 46, and Nicole Smallman, 27, after using his own blood to sign a pact with mythical King Lucifuge Rofocale.
Both women had been out with friends at Fryent Country Park, Wembley, to celebrate Ms Henry’s birthday that evening.
Hussain was found guilty of murder and jailed for a minimum of 35 years in October 2021.
It later emerged that two Met officers assigned to guard the murder scene – Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis – had taken selfies with the women’s bodies and sent them on WhatsApp to colleagues.
The men were each jailed for 33 months in December 2021, and sacked by the force.
Mr Khan said: “Every woman and girl in our country should be able to live their lives in safety, but sadly that is not the reality for too many.
“I am determined to do everything in my power as Mayor to tackle male violence against women and girls in our city.
“I remain focused on addressing the deep-rooted culture and standards issues within the Met, issues underlined by the appalling actions of two former Met Police officers who betrayed their duty to protect and serve in the aftermath of these tragic murders.
“The Met have come a long way in the recent past, with stronger vetting and the removal of those unfit to serve. But it’s clear there is more to do to raise standards.”
In his statement, Mr Khan praised Ms Henry and Ms Smallman’s mother, Mina Somallman for being a “beacon of hope” for Londoners.
He said: “Throughout this, Mina Smallman and her family have been a beacon of hope and strength and I want to thank them for their commitment to bringing Londoners from all backgrounds together to demand change and improvement to the way women and girls are protected and London’s diverse communities are policed.”
Pictured top: From left, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman (Picture: The Met)
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