Mina Smallman Condemns Met Police Over 'Slap in the Face' Apology
Mina Smallman, the mother of murdered sisters Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, has spoken out about her continued frustration with the Metropolitan Police following their handling of her daughters' deaths. In a powerful and emotional interview on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs , she described the force’s apology as nothing more than “a slap in the face,” highlighting the institutional failures and deep-rooted issues within the system.
Nicole, 27, and Bibaa, 46, were brutally murdered in June 2020 while celebrating a birthday in Fryent Country Park, Wembley. Their killer, Danyal Hussein, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 35 years, after carrying out the murders as part of a so-called satanic blood pact. However, the pain for the Smallman family was made even worse when two Metropolitan Police officers, Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis, took and shared grotesque photos of the sisters' bodies, referring to them as "dead birds" in WhatsApp messages. These officers were later jailed for misconduct, receiving sentences of two years and nine months each.
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Mina Smallman, a retired priest and former teacher, has been vocal in her fight for justice. She recalled how she had reported her daughters missing, only to feel dismissed by authorities. She believes the initial lack of urgency in searching for them was influenced by race, stating, “Sometimes racism doesn’t have language. It’s not verbalised. It’s what you fail to do.”
Despite an official apology from former Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, Mina said the words rang hollow. “You say sorry when you bump into someone at the supermarket,” she remarked, emphasizing the deep failings of the police force. She also took aim at the culture within the institution, saying, “There are hidden pockets of filth that have been allowed to flourish.”
While Mina has managed to find a sense of peace regarding her daughters' killer, she has not yet been able to forgive the two police officers who violated their dignity. “I have no words for them, and I was celebrating when those two were sent to prison,” she said firmly. For her, the pain of knowing that those meant to serve and protect instead acted with such callous disrespect is something she cannot move past.
However, despite her anger at these failures, Mina remains clear in her distinction—she does not condemn all police officers. “Do not do this job to lord it over people,” she said, calling for reform and better vetting to prevent individuals like Jaffer and Lewis from wearing the badge.
Mina’s resilience and strength have made her a powerful voice for justice, not just for her own daughters but for all families who have suffered institutional failures. Her story is a stark reminder of the urgent need for change within policing, not just in words, but in meaningful action.
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