Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said there are “serious questions” for police after the release of bodycam footage showing officers’ response to the fatal stabbing of university student Henry Nowak in Southampton.
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The footage emerged a day after Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for murdering the 18-year-old with a 21cm blade. Digwa falsely told officers at the scene that he had been the victim of a racist attack.
The video shows Nowak, who had suffered fatal stab wounds, being handcuffed and repeatedly telling officers that he could not breathe.
Questions Over Police Response
Speaking to broadcasters, Starmer described the footage as “really harrowing” and said watching it had made him feel sick.
He said there were important questions about how allegations of racism may have influenced decisions made by officers at the scene.
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is continuing. Starmer said he would not rule out a wider inquiry but stressed that the watchdog should first complete its work.
Henry Nowak
Nowak’s family have strongly criticised the officers’ actions. His father, Mark Nowak, said his son repeatedly told police he had been stabbed and could not breathe, but was nevertheless handcuffed and treated as a suspect.
He described the difference in treatment between his son and Digwa as “unbearable” and said Henry should not have died on a Southampton street while in police custody.
Judge William Mousley KC later stated during sentencing that the severity of Nowak’s injuries meant he would not have survived, regardless of how quickly first aid or medical treatment was provided.
Political Row Intensifies
The case has triggered sharp political debate.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned against threats and misinformation linked to public reaction to the case. She revealed that one police officer had been forced to relocate after being wrongly identified online as being involved.
Mahmood also criticised attempts to politicise the murder, insisting that police must act without fear or favour and that everyone is equal before the law.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage argued that the case reflected what he called a “two-tier Britain”, claiming officers appeared to place greater weight on a false allegation of racism than on the condition of a dying victim.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp similarly questioned whether police focused too heavily on the racism allegation rather than helping Nowak.
The prime minister’s spokesman rejected claims of “two-tier policing”.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi accused some political figures of unfairly blaming the Sikh community for the actions of a single offender.
Protests and Further Legal Proceedings
Tensions spilled onto the streets of Southampton on Tuesday evening, when several hundred people gathered near the scene of the killing. Riot police clashed with some protesters after objects including bricks, bins and an e-scooter were thrown at officers.
The demonstration had been promoted by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Vickrum Digwa. Police handout
Separately, the Attorney General’s Office is considering whether Digwa’s sentence should be reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme following multiple requests.
Although practising Sikhs are legally permitted to carry a small ceremonial kirpan for religious reasons, prosecutors said the weapon used in the attack was significantly larger and worn openly outside Digwa’s clothing.
Digwa’s family apologised to the Nowak family and said they were deeply saddened by the killing.
His mother, Kiran Kaur, was convicted of assisting an offender after attempting to hide the murder weapon and will be sentenced in July. His father, Moga Singh, and brother, Gurpreet Digwa, appeared in court on separate weapons-related charges and were released on unconditional bail.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 June 2026
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