The family of Henry Nowak, who was fatally stabbed in Southampton last December, have criticized politicians for what they describe as playing a "game" with their son's murder.
Nowak, 18, was handcuffed by police as he lay dying when his attacker, Vickrum Digwa, falsely accused him of racial abuse. Body-worn camera footage captured Nowak repeatedly stating, "I've been stabbed," to which an officer responded, "Don't think you have, mate."
Digwa was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison in June. The release of the footage sparked violent protests in Southampton.
Politicians, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, commented on the events, with discussions arising about "two-tier policing." However, in a new ITV Tonight documentary, "Dear Henry: Our Fight For Justice," Nowak's mother, Lucy Ross, stated that the family had "worked hard" to keep politics out of her son's story.
"I suppose that's the game they play, and I can't do anything about that. But when they think it all links together – no, it doesn't," Ross said. "Olivia's lost her brother, and I've lost my son. I'm not interested in your political game."
When asked about "two-tier policing" potentially being a factor in her son's death, Ross expressed a desire for answers regarding how her son was treated, contrasting it with how "that family got treated [in] a different way."
Henry's father, Mark Nowak, described his son as "not a divisive person" and stated that the political response to his murder "didn't sit with Henry's values or our values." His stepmother, Katie Nowak, added, "We understand why people were angry. We think everyone should have a right to protest and have their voice heard, but not the riots."
Nowak's sister, Olivia, condemned the riots but acknowledged the anger felt by some. The family emphasized their focus on seeking the truth and answering questions about the night of the murder, including concerns about police treatment and Digwa's ability to carry a weapon. They stressed that these were not political questions.
Digwa used an eight-inch blade to stab Nowak five times, including a fatal blow to the chest. Police reportedly dismissed Nowak's pleas that he had been stabbed and could not breathe, only discovering the fatal wound while performing CPR eight minutes after arriving on the scene.
Digwa's mother, Kiran Kaur, was sentenced to three years for assisting an offender by removing the knife used in the attack.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary chief constable Alexis Boon expressed deep regret, stating, "I am incredibly sorry that in his final moments, when he needed us most, we failed him." He acknowledged serious concerns raised by the family regarding the police response and their treatment throughout the investigation and committed to learning from the tragedy.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) initially stated no officers would face investigation but later announced two officers were under investigation for potential gross misconduct. The IOPC investigation into potential failures in the police response is expected to conclude early next year.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has commissioned an independent review of the case, including the IOPC's involvement, led by former lord chancellor Alex Chalk. Mahmood expressed her commitment to ensuring the family receives answers.
The family has also claimed they were allegedly told by police that Nowak was the aggressor and that officers had immediately administered first aid. Katie Nowak stated, "I do feel we have been failed multiple times. I fear we may have been manipulated in our darkest hours. I fear some decisions were made to try and protect the police and their reputation rather than help us as a family."
A Home Office spokesperson acknowledged the tragedy and stated commitment to halving knife crime. The spokesperson also confirmed the independent review into the circumstances surrounding Nowak's murder.
The IOPC director of engagement, Derrick Campbell, reiterated the commitment to establishing the full circumstances and providing answers to the family. The Crown Prosecution Service stated their priority was securing justice and that sensitive evidence could not be shared until the case was trial-ready to avoid prejudicing proceedings.