The family of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who died after being left handcuffed by police despite having been stabbed, has welcomed the government’s announcement of an independent review into his tragic death.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed in the House of Commons this afternoon that an official inquiry will be launched to examine the circumstances surrounding the murder of the student in Southampton last December. The review is set to be led by former Conservative justice secretary Alex Chalk.
The announcement comes months after Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison for the killing. During the trial, it emerged that Digwa had lied to responding officers, falsely claiming that he was the victim of a racist attack. Tragically, when the dying teenager told officers he had been stabbed, one responded with the dismissive remark: “I don’t think you have, mate.”
The case prompted widespread national outrage and sparked violent anti-police protests in Southampton shortly after the verdict.
The independent review aims to address the critical failures identified by the Nowak family and campaigners. Ms. Mahmood stated that the inquiry would investigate what information was known about Digwa prior to the attack, including “any missed opportunities to intervene,” as well as how the family was handled by the criminal justice system in the aftermath of their son’s death. Additionally, the review will consider the actions of the officers involved once the ongoing Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation into potential gross misconduct concludes.
“We must get to the truth of what happened before, during and after that awful night, and we must do everything in our power to ensure no family suffers the same fate,” Ms. Mahmood told MPs. “We owe that to Henry and to all who loved him. They deserve answers.”
In a statement following the announcement, Henry’s family described the news as a “significant moment in our fight for justice.” They noted that the struggle for answers, coupled with the “unimaginable grief” of losing their son, had taken an immense emotional toll. “We hope this review… will finally uncover the full truth and deliver the accountability and meaningful change we have fought so hard for,” the family added.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also supported the move, stating that families should not be forced to spend their lives fighting for transparency when a child dies in such circumstances.
During the criminal trial, the court heard that Digwa had stabbed Henry five times. The victim’s father, Mark Nowak, has been a vocal critic of the initial police response, describing his son’s final moments as “inhumane and degrading.” He has maintained that while Digwa is “100% responsible” for the murder, the failure of the officers on the scene to recognize the severity of Henry’s condition remains a source of deep pain.
The Home Secretary has requested that an initial report from the inquiry be submitted within five months.
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