Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was 'profoundly humbled' after meeting the family of murdered teenager Henry Nowak in Downing Street, urging politicians not to use the tragedy to stir up division. The private talks with Henry's mother Lucy, father Mark, and stepmother Katie followed a public outcry over harrowing bodycam footage showing the 18-year-old pleading with police who handcuffed him as he lay dying.
In a statement, Mr Starmer said he was 'determined that lessons would be learned' from the case. 'Henry deserves a legacy that goes beyond this awful tragedy,' he said. 'I am committed to making that happen.' The Prime Minister also called for 'unity and progress over division and hatred' as the only way to honour Henry's memory.
Henry Nowak was stabbed to death in Southampton in December. His killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for a minimum of 21 years on Monday. Digwa lied to officers at the scene, falsely claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating Hampshire Police's handling of the case.
Bodycam footage released on Monday showed officers did not believe the fatally wounded student when he said he had been stabbed. One officer has since resigned, and two others are not carrying out frontline duties. Eleven police officers were injured in violent clashes in Southampton on Tuesday evening.
Mr Starmer earlier accused Nigel Farage of exploiting the tragedy after the Reform UK leader urged supporters to react with 'pure cold rage' hours before the protests. Speaking to reporters, the PM said: 'We really need to listen to Henry's family, because they're asking us, as politicians, as leaders, not to use his case to whip up division.'
