The police force at the centre of the Henry Nowak scandal has been criticised for trying to release a statement 'portraying him as the aggressor' three days after his murder.
Hampshire Police planned to publish a statement implying that the 18-year-old had assaulted killer Vickrum Digwa and his brother, according to reports.
Mr Nowak died in the early hours of December 4 after being stabbed multiple times by Digwa, who is Sikh and had lied to police about being the victim of a racially motivated assault .
A police statement released later that morning said: 'It was reported two men had been assaulted by an unknown man.' Officers told the Nowak family that the next update would also imply that the teenager was the initial aggressor, it is claimed.
But they later dropped that section of the statement, which only referred to an 'altercation' in its published form. At that point, police had substantial evidence that Digwa had lied to them.
Hampshire Police are also said to have risked collapsing Digwa's trial by trying to issue a statement over so-called 'disinformation' - while proceedings were already underway.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised the force that the highly unusual move would risk jeopardising the 'integrity' of the case.
Ameer Kotecha, CEO of the Centre for Government Reform, said: 'These are appalling new details. As I have been saying, the no-questions-asked credulity with which the police treated Digwa's false racism claims just goes to show how deep the DEI rot has become.'
Nick Timothy MP, Shadow Justice Secretary, also criticised the police for threatening the 'integrity' of the trial with ' irresponsible statements'.
'Equality before the law should mean that trials are fair, that we all have the same legal rights and that we are subject to the same rules. Sadly, it has been displaced by an ideology that seeks to treat us differently based on race or identity.'
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police have come under intense scrutiny for their conduct after they handcuffed Henry Nowak (pictured) and ignored his pleas that he had been stabbed
Vickrum Digwa (pictured) falsely told officers he had been racially abused and attacked
Digwa stabbed Mr Nowak with a ceremonial dagger after a night out in Southampton.
Instead of treating the first-year finance student as a victim, officers handcuffed him as he lay dying due to Digwa's false claim that he was a racist thug.
Digwa was handed a minimum jail term of 21 years on Monday, before riots erupted in Southampton a day later.
Hampshire Police said today: 'Following the opening of the trial and the media reporting that followed, a significant amount of mis- and disinformation was circulating online.
'This included requests for information to be shared that had not been fully examined as part of the murder trial.
'The intention of the statement was to remind the public that there were ongoing legal proceedings and that the law is clear that nothing could be published which could prejudice the trial. The decision not to publish was taken following advice from the CPS.'
Police diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies have come under scrutiny amid allegations Mr Nowak was failed by 'two-tier' policing.
Last year, West Yorkshire police had 19 staff dedicated to inclusion, costing £970,000 in combined salaries and benefits. The force also paid more than £360,000 to an external training provider.
Several policies are inspired by the National Police Chiefs' Council and Royal College of Policing's Police Race Action Plan, which was published in 2022 following the murder of George Floyd.
They include an 'About Time' timeline documenting events relevant to relations between the police and black people. One was issued to every force in England and Wales at a total cost of £97,000.
Meanwhile, the College of Policing paid £7,700 for a speaking 'masterclass' from Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a controversial lawyer who criticised police for kicking the Golders Green suspect while arresting him following the stabbing of two Jewish men.
Harrowing footage was shared of the moment police officers put Mr Nowak in handcuffs
The Police Race Action Plan has been criticised for suggesting that ethnic minorities should be treated differently from white people.
But Abimbola Johnson, who chaired a scrutiny board overseeing it, today defended the document and insisted efforts to combat 'institutional racism' have not gone far enough.
'The metrics continue to show racial disparity across key areas of police contact: stop and search, use of force, strip searches, custody, misconduct, workforce experience and public trust,' she said.
'The independent scrutiny and oversight board's own work repeatedly found that progress under the police race action plan had been too slow, too inconsistent and too poorly embedded to meaningfully tackle the racism it was created to combat.'
It comes as a Sikh lobby group called for a public inquiry into the 'catastrophic multi…
Read the full article at Daily Mail →📄Source document: Hampshire Police
10 reports
Daily MailIndependentRight5 days agoThe decision not to charge Gurpreet Digwa, the brother of Henry Nowak's killer Vickrum Digwa, for allegedly lying to police during the investigation into Henry's murder has sparked outrage. A lawyer argues that Gurpreet may have committed perjury, assisted an offender, and obstructed justice. However, Hampshire Police did not pursue any charges against him.
Bias read (Right): The article emphasizes the failure of law enforcement to prosecute Gurpreet Digwa, using strong language such as 'incredible' and highlighting the lawyer's assertion that Gurpreet likely committed multiple offenses. The tone suggests criticism of the legal system's handling of the case, aligning it
Official sources cited
- government Hampshire Police
- government Crown Prosecution Service
Full FactIndependentCenter9 days agoFull Fact has debunked claims that Vickrum Digwa, the man convicted of killing Henry Nowak, has been attacked in prison. The organization stated that such social media posts are false.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual correction without taking a stance on the broader implications of the case or the individual involved. It does not exhibit biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context.
Full FactIndependentCenter12 days ago ‘It escalated to a quite horrendous point’: Woman wrongly named as officer in Henry Nowak arrest on how misinformation ‘spread like wildfire’A woman named Christi Hill was mistakenly identified online as one of the officers involved in the arrest of Henry Nowak, who was stabbed in December 2025. The incorrect identification led to widespread misinformation, prompting Hill to speak to Full Fact about the impact of the false claims. The real officers involved in the arrest have not been named by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, but it has warned against sharing unverified information. The perpetrator, Vickrum Digwa, falsely claimed to be a victim of racism and was later convicted of murder.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a specific incident involving misinformation and its consequences without taking a stance on any political issue. It presents facts from multiple sources, including the affected individual, law enforcement, and the police federation, maintaining neutrality.
Official sources cited
- government Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
- organisation Hampshire Police Federation
The IndependentIndependentCenter13 days agoNewly discovered footage from 2022 shows Vickrum Digwa, the man convicted of murdering Henry Nowak, holding what appears to be an airgun in his backyard. A neighbor recorded the incident after hearing loud gunshots. The footage was shared with The Sun, though authorities initially dismissed the report. Airguns under specific regulations do not require a license in the UK. Hampshire Police later confirmed an air pistol was found during a search of Digwa's property following Nowak's murder. Digwa, now 23, stabbed 18-year-old Nowak in December and falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist act
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overt ideological framing. It reports on newly uncovered footage related to a criminal case, focusing on the evidence and police response rather than taking a stance on broader social or political issues.
Official sources cited
- government Hampshire Police statement
Daily MailIndependentCenter13 days ago Outrage over claims police 'wanted to portray Henry Nowak as the aggressor' in statement days after his death despite evidence Vickrum Digwa had lied to themHampshire Police faced criticism for initially planning to release a statement suggesting Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old who was murdered, was the aggressor in the incident involving Vickrum Digwa. The police later revised their statement to refer to an 'altercation' after obtaining evidence that Digwa had lied to them. The police were reportedly advised by the Crown Prosecution Service that issuing such a statement during an ongoing trial could compromise the integrity of the case.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring either side. It describes the police's initial plan, the subsequent revision of the statement, and the involvement of the CPS, all based on reported information. There is no clear ideological framing or biased language that suggests a particular sl
Official sources cited
- government Hampshire Police
- government Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
Sky News (UK)IndependentCenter14 days agoA Sikh priest was attacked while shopping in Southampton, prompting the Sikh community to express concern following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of Henry Nowak.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an incident involving a Sikh priest being attacked and mentions the sentencing of an individual for murder. The content does not exhibit any clear ideological framing or bias. It presents facts without apparent slant.
The IndependentIndependentLeft14 days ago Lammy called Vance to tell him ‘you’re wrong’ after he blamed Henry Nowak murder on migrationDeputy Prime Minister David Lammy criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance for blaming the murder of Henry Nowak on 'an invasion of migrants' in Europe. Lammy stated that Nowak's death had nothing to do with mass migration and emphasized that the victim's family does not want his death to be used to create division. Downing Street also condemned Vance for interfering in UK affairs and urged respect for the Nowak family's wishes. Bodycam footage showed police failing to provide adequate medical assistance to Nowak after he was stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, which led to riots in Southampton.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the incident through a critical lens toward the U.S. vice president's comments on migration, emphasizing the UK government's stance against using the tragedy to stoke division. It highlights the criticism of Vance's remarks and aligns with the perspective that migration is not to
Sky News (UK)IndependentCenter14 days ago Hampshire Police planned intervention during trial of Henry Nowak's killerHampshire Police intended to issue a statement addressing 'disinformation' during the trial of Henry Nowak's killer, but were advised by the Crown Prosecution Service that doing so might compromise the case.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on procedural decisions made by law enforcement and the Crown Prosecution Service without apparent bias. It does not favor one side over another, nor does it use loaded language or selectively present information.
Official sources cited
- government Hampshire Police
- government Crown Prosecution Service
Daily MailIndependentCenter14 days ago Killer Vickrum Digwa 'had threatened' a worshipper at his local temple months before he stabbed Henry Nowak to deathVickrum Digwa, 23, who is serving at least 21 years in prison for the stabbing of Southampton University student Henry Nowak, reportedly threatened a worshipper at his local temple seven months prior to the murder. The incident involved Digwa confronting a visitor at a gurdwara, leading to intervention by a community elder. Digwa’s parents allegedly defended him, claiming 'our kids can do nothing wrong.' Months later, Digwa stabbed Nowak, 18, with a large ceremonial dagger. He falsely accused Nowak of racial abuse and physical assault, leading to Nowak being arrested at the crime scene while濒临
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the criminal actions of Vickrum Digwa without overtly favoring any political perspective. It focuses on the sequence of events surrounding the murder and does not engage in ideological commentary or biased framing.
The Guardian (UK)IndependentCenter16 days agoHenry Nowak, an 18-year-old student from Essex, was murdered in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa, who stabbed him with a ceremonial knife. Digwa later falsely reported that Nowak had attacked them racially, leading to Nowak being restrained by police as he died. The case sparked controversy over police conduct, prompting comments from JD Vance and the US State Department regarding 'two-tier policing' in the UK.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts about the incident, quotes from involved parties, and mentions international reactions without overtly favoring any side. It does not use loaded language or selectively omit perspectives, maintaining a balanced tone.
Official sources cited
- court Judgment in Digwa's trial
- press release Mark Nowak's statement
United Kingdom