Dr Neville Lawrence, father of Stephen Lawrence, has said he sees 'history repeating itself' after the killing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton. Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death in 1993 in a racially motivated attack. Dr Lawrence told the Mirror: 'When my son was killed officers who attended also made incorrect assumptions and it is very tragic to see history repeating itself. Stephen wasn't seen as a victim, just as Henry wasn't in this case.'
Henry Nowak, a finance student, was stabbed six times by Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years. Police have faced heavy criticism after bodyworn camera footage showed officers handcuffing Henry as he lay dying. In the footage, Henry can be heard saying 'I've been stabbed' four times, to which an officer replies: 'Don't think you have, mate.' The officer drags Henry along the ground as he begs for help, saying he cannot breathe at least seven times before being cuffed.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has promised Henry's family they will get answers and called for calm, saying the 'evil act' must not lead to communities turning against each other. However, protests against the police turned ugly near the murder scene, with missiles thrown at officers. Sir Keir Starmer said he 'felt sick' watching the footage and that there are 'serious questions' about how 'accusations of racism' informed police decision-making.
Digwa lied to police at the scene, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating and is expected to report within three months. One officer involved has resigned, but three others remain on normal duties. Ms Mahmood told MPs that a police officer had received death threats after being wrongly identified as having responded to the tragedy.
