Henry Nowak murder gets independent UK review

The UK government said Monday it will hold an independent review into the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, including how police and other authorities responded before and after his death.

Interior minister Shabana Mahmood said the case raised serious questions about whether more could have been done to prevent the killing and about the response of public authorities.

Nowak was stabbed in Southampton in December by Vickrum Digwa. A video of Nowak's final minutes showed a police officer dismissing his claim that he had been stabbed before he collapsed and became unconscious. He was also handcuffed as he lay dying.

Digwa, 23, was sentenced in June to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years. He is expected to appeal against his sentence in November. Digwa's mother was convicted of assisting him by taking away the knife used in the murder and was jailed for three years.

The police force involved has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The review will be led by lawyer and former justice minister Alex Chalk. Chalk said he would examine whether officials failed to act on earlier complaints about Digwa's violent behaviour and how authorities treated Nowak's family.

Nowak's family said they hoped the review would uncover the full truth and bring accountability and meaningful change.