UK Home Secretary orders independent review into murder of student Henry Nowak

Review announced in the Commons

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the House of Commons on Monday, 26 October, that the government will commission an independent review into the murder of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student. The review will be led by former lord chancellor Alex Chalk KC. Mahmood said it will investigate what was known about the killer, including any missed opportunities to intervene, and whether the Nowak family was supported in the manner they should have been. She said the case had raised serious and legitimate questions about whether more could have been done to prevent the tragedy and about the response of public authorities afterwards. The full terms of reference were published the same day.

“We must get to the truth of what happened before, during, and after that awful night.”

The killing and the sentence

Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton on 3 December 2025. Vickrum Digwa, a 23-year-old, was jailed for life on 1 June 2026 with a minimum term of 21 years. The BBC reports that Digwa falsely claimed he had been racially abused and had acted in self-defence. Body-worn camera footage from police showed Nowak handcuffed as he lay dying, a sequence that drew intense scrutiny of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. Digwa's mother was separately jailed for three years for assisting an offender after she removed the knife.

What the review will examine

The review has two phases. The first will examine what was known about Digwa and whether there were missed opportunities to intervene. The second will look at the actions of officers who attended the scene. The Telegraph reports that the review will also examine whether officers were too slow to act on earlier reports of Digwa's violent behaviour. Once the Independent Office for Police Conduct concludes its investigation into the police response, the review will also consider the IOPC's actions and, if necessary, those of the police. An initial report is due within five months.

“This review will leave no stone unturned in seeking those answers.”

Family response

The Nowak family has fought for answers since Henry was killed. They described the announcement as a significant moment in their fight for justice and said that, so far, their experience of the criminal justice system had been deeply disappointing. They hope the review, alongside the ongoing investigations and inquest, will uncover the full truth. The family thanked Mahmood for listening to their concerns and Chalk for agreeing to lead the review, while stressing that a long road still lies ahead.

Wider debate

The case has also sparked wider debate about knife laws, race, policing and public trust. Mahmood said the review would leave no stone unturned, and the family said they would not stop until they secured answers, accountability and meaningful change.