Home Secretary Announces Independent Review Into Henry Nowak Murder
Shabana Mahmood has announced a review into Henry Nowak's murder (Alamy)
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Shabana Mahmood has announced an independent review into the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Addressing the House of Commons on Monday, Mahmood said: "We must get to the bottom of what happened before, during, and after that awful night. And we must do everything in our power to ensure that no family suffers the same fate."
Nowak was fatally stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa in Southampton in December.
Digwa falsely claimed he had been racially abused and attacked by Nowak, and was later sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years.
The death sparked outrage after bodycam footage belonging to the police officers who arrived on the scene showed Nowak being handcuffed while telling the officers he could not breathe.
The review will be led by former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Alex Chalk KC. An initial report will be delivered to Mahmood by March.
It will investigate what was known about the perpetrator, including any missed opportunities to intervene, as well as the Nowak family's experience of the criminal justice system.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is also investigating two officers for potential gross misconduct.
