Hampshire Police had planned to release a statement countering "disinformation" during the trial of Henry Nowak's killer, but were cautioned by the Crown Prosecution Service that doing so could put the case at risk.
Background of the Incident
Concerns had arisen regarding online commentary and the potential for public disorder, prompting Hampshire Police to seek the CPS's guidance on issuing a message informing the public that questions would be addressed once proceedings had concluded, according to The Sunday Times. Prosecutors warned the force that such a move could threaten the "integrity" of the case against Vickrum Digwa.
Mr Nowak, an 18-year-old student, was handcuffed by officers who ignored his pleas that he had been stabbed, as he lay dying after Digwa claimed to have been the victim of a racist attack in December last year. Digwa received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years for stabbing Mr Nowak with a ceremonial knife bearing a 21cm blade, which he carried as part of his Sikh religion.
Public Outrage and Protests
Public outrage erupted following the release of police body-worn footage depicting Mr Nowak being restrained in handcuffs moments before he lost consciousness and died. Eleven individuals have since faced charges following violent confrontations at protests in the wake of the sentencing.
It is understood the statement outlined the court process, reminded the public that nothing could be published that might prejudice legal proceedings, and confirmed that police would respond to questions once the trial had concluded.
CPS and Police Statements
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: "The CPS highlighted to the police that protecting the integrity of the ongoing trial was essential, and of the risks of referring to any aspect of the evidence before it had been heard by the court and the case had been summed up by the judge to the jury. However, it was made clear that whether a statement was released was ultimately a police operational decision."
A Hampshire Police spokeswoman told The Sunday Times: "Following the opening of the trial and the media reporting that followed, a significant amount of mis- and disinformation was circulating online. This included requests for information to be shared that had not been fully examined as part of the murder trial. The intention of the statement was to remind the public that there were ongoing legal proceedings and that the law is clear that nothing could be published which could prejudice the trial. The decision not to publish was taken following advice from the CPS."
Political Fallout and Investigations
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating Hampshire Police's response in Mr Nowak's case. Mr Nowak's father Mark has stated that the family "do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension", yet the manner in which police dealt with the student has ignited a significant political dispute.
The Prime Minister has called on politicians to respect the wishes of the teenager's family, who have pleaded that their son's case should not be used "to cause disturbances", while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has faced mounting criticism for urging people to respond with "pure, cold rage".
In a piece published in The Sunday Times, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch levelled accusations of "institutional incompetence" at senior police figures, pointing to the training provided to officers. She said: "It is the police chiefs, operationally independent from government, who must take responsibility for letting that happen. I believe the issue is the training [officers] are given. Well-meaning, but totally wrong-headed, lacking in common sense and, possibly illegal... The problem is not institutional racism towards blacks or whites but institutional incompetence."
On Friday, US Vice President JD Vance called for "righteous anger" in the wake of Mr Nowak's murder, laying partial blame on "the mass invasion of migrants". His remarkable intervention prompted a swift rebuke from Downing Street, which condemned "people trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets". Number 10 also turned its fire on US tech billionaire Elon Musk, accusing him of attempting to "whip up division" after he declared his willingness to bankroll a private prosecution against Hampshire Police.
