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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has raised serious concerns regarding police conduct after bodycam footage surfaced revealing the response to the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. The video shows officers handcuffing the Southampton university student, who repeatedly told them “I can’t breathe,” while the accused, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist attack. Digwa was sentenced on Monday to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 21 years, for fatally stabbing Nowak with a 21cm (8in) blade which he justified as part of his Sikh faith.
Sir Keir described the footage as “really harrowing” and admitted feeling physically sick upon viewing it. He emphasized the need to examine “how accusations of racism informed decision making” during the incident. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed that an investigation into the police actions is ongoing. While the Prime Minister did not exclude the possibility of a broader inquiry, he stressed the importance of allowing the IOPC to complete its work first.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood addressed concerns about the public reaction to the case, warning of a “dangerous undercurrent” driven by threats and misinformation. She highlighted that a police officer had to relocate to protect their family after being wrongly identified online in connection to the incident. Mahmood also cautioned against political exploitation of the tragedy during her address to the House of Commons. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage expressed his anger over the police response, asserting a “cold rage” and suggesting the incident reflected a “two-tier Britain” where a false accusation of racism was prioritized over aiding a dying man.
The case has sparked sharp criticism and debate. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp claimed that officers appeared more focused on the false claim of racism than on assisting Henry Nowak. However, Mahmood and the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson firmly denied any systemic preferential treatment by the police, emphasizing that law enforcement must operate “without fear or favour” and that “everyone in this country is equal before the law.” Sikh Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi condemned far-right groups for scapegoating the Sikh community following the attack. Meanwhile, protests erupted near the murder scene on Tuesday evening, with riot police clashing with demonstrators, some of whom threw bricks and e-scooters, in an event promoted by far-right figure Tommy Robinson.
The Attorney General’s office is currently reviewing Digwa’s sentence after receiving multiple requests under the unduly lenient sentence (ULS) scheme. According to legislation, practising Sikhs are legally permitted to carry a small kirpan, a curved blade carried for religious reasons, but the weapon Digwa used was significantly larger and worn visibly in a sheath over his clothing, unlike a traditional kirpan concealed beneath garments. Digwa’s family has issued an apology to Henry Nowak’s relatives and expressed regret for the negative impact on the Sikh community, stating: “We love Vickrum. We will continue to love him. That love does not stand in opposition to the sorrow we feel for the Nowak family. Both are real, and both will remain with us for the rest of our lives.”
Henry Nowak’s father, Mark, spoke outside court, recounting the distressing moments as his son repeatedly told officers he could not breathe and that he had been stabbed multiple times. Mark described the stark difference in treatment between his son and Digwa as “unbearable” and insisted, “Henry should not have died on the streets of Southampton in police custody.” The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed three officers involved in the case remain in service, while one has resigned. Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has called for a review focusing on the control room culture and the training of officers who responded to the stabbing. Meanwhile, legal proceedings continue against Digwa’s family members, with his father and brother facing charges related to possession of offensive weapons, and his mother found guilty of assisting an offender for attempting to conceal the blade used in the attack
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