Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to take “whatever action is required to right the wrongs” in the case of murdered student Henry Nowak, after meeting the teenager’s family at Downing Street. The Prime Minister described the encounter as “profoundly humbling” and said Henry deserved a legacy that goes beyond the tragedy.
Henry Nowak, 18, was stabbed to death with a Sikh dagger in Southampton in December 2025. Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life on Monday for the murder. Body-worn camera footage showed Henry telling police “I’ve been stabbed” after his arrest, to which an officer replied: “Don’t think you have, mate.” The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the police response.
Following the private meeting, Sir Keir said: “There are difficult questions that need to be answered about the way the police handled Henry’s murder. We will be unflinching in taking whatever action is required to right the wrongs in this case.” He added that the country must choose “unity and progress over division and hatred”.
Meanwhile, two men have appeared in court in connection with disorder during protests over the murder. Daniel Frost, 44, of Southampton, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon after throwing bins and a chair at police. Matt Styler, 50, of Gosport, pleaded not guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and was remanded in custody. A full inquest into Henry’s death is set to open in September 2027.
