Starmer Vows Action Over Henry Nowak Case as Police Handling Faces 2027 Inquest

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 4

Downing Street said Keir Starmer told Henry Nowak’s family he would be “unflinching” in taking action over police handling of the 18-year-old’s murder and in building a legacy beyond the killing.
Bodycam footage drove the backlash: officers handcuffed Nowak as he lay dying after Vickrum Digwa falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist attack, despite Nowak repeatedly saying he had been stabbed.
Digwa, 23, has already received a life sentence with a minimum 21 years, while the IOPC is investigating Hampshire Constabulary’s actions and an inquest jury will examine whether any police act or omission contributed to Nowak’s death.
September 2027 is the current inquest date, though the coroner said he hopes to bring it forward; political pressure is also widening, with Kemi Badenoch backing cross-party work to rebuild trust in police.
Southampton protests over the case injured 11 officers on Tuesday night, underscoring the broader tensions Starmer said should be met with “unity and progress” rather than division.