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Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his deep sympathy for Henry Nowak, the 18-year-old Southampton University student who was tragically killed. Speaking after meeting Henry’s family at Downing Street, Starmer said the young man “deserves a legacy that goes beyond this awful tragedy.” The prime minister described the encounter as profoundly moving and committed to doing everything possible to ensure other families do not endure similar heartbreak.
The circumstances surrounding Henry Nowak’s death have sparked widespread public outrage, particularly after bodycam footage emerged showing police officers handcuffing Henry while he lay dying. This occurred after the suspect, Vickrum Digwa, falsely alleged that he had been the target of a racist attack. Sir Keir acknowledged that there are “difficult questions that need to be answered about the way the police handled Henry’s murder,” highlighting concerns about the police response. The footage notably captures the teenager repeatedly insisting he had been stabbed, to which an officer replies dismissively, “I don’t think so mate.”
Digwa, aged 23, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years after being found guilty of murder. Following his private discussion with Henry’s father Mark Nowak, mother Lucy Ross, and stepmother Katie Woodcock, Sir Keir shared his reflections on Henry’s character. He spoke of the student’s “kindness, his warmth, and his love of football,” acknowledging the bright future that was cruelly cut short. “Henry deserves a legacy that goes beyond this awful tragedy, and I am committed to making that happen,” he affirmed.
In addition to the prime minister’s response, other political figures have engaged with the family. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch met Henry’s relatives, emphasizing their desire to avoid anger fracturing communities. She noted their plea for cooperation across political and religious lines to rebuild trust in the police, which she agreed “has been broken because of what happened.” Badenoch also called for a review of religious exemptions that allow carrying potentially dangerous weapons in public, referencing that Digwa used what he described as a ceremonial Sikh knife in the attack. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced plans to meet with the family, and the party described Henry’s death as “a tragedy that should never happened.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating Hampshire Constabulary’s handling of the incident. Sir Keir emphasized the government’s commitment to ensure all necessary actions are taken to address any failures, stating, “We will be unflinching in taking whatever action is required to right the wrongs in this case.” There will also be an inquest into Henry’s death to examine whether any police actions contributed to the tragedy, with a date currently set for September next year, though there is hope this could be moved earlier.
The prime minister’s meeting with the family also came amid tensions stirred online, particularly with Elon Musk, the owner of the social platform X, who criticized the police response and was accused by Sir Keir of “whip[ping] up division” in the UK. Meanwhile, protests in Southampton related to the case on Tuesday night resulted in injuries to 11 police officers. Sir Keir urged calm and unity as the community processes the devastating loss, highlighting the family’s composed and dignified response
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