What do Sikh traditions have to do with this case?published at 19:19 BST

19:19 BST

Aleem Maqbool
Religion editor

When it comes to UK law prohibiting the carrying of knives and blades in public, there is a clear exemption for kirpans. But the killing of Henry Nowak has led to some debate on the issue.

Kirpans are usually curved, ceremonial knives worn by Sikhs as one of the five physical symbols of their faith - along with long hair, a comb, a steel bracelet and cotton underclothes. They are kept close to the body in a sheath and strap (gatra), and while there's no specification as to how long a kirpan should be, Sikh groups in the UK advise people to choose small blades (of around three to six inches) when worn in public.

More than anything, they are meant to be a symbolic reminder to Sikhs to protect the weak and uphold righteousness.

In the case of Vickrum Digwa, the Southampton attacker, Sikh groups issued clarification that he was carrying two blades on the night of the murder: a small kirpan worn around his neck and a second, much longer knife worn outside his clothing that was used to fatally stab Nowak.

They said Digwa's claim that he had carried the longer knife for religious reasons was false.

During the trial, the prosecution team referred to the murder weapon as a "shastar", the Punjabi word for knife, and also dismissed Digwa's claim of carrying it having been a religious obligation. While the trial judge did not refer to Digwa's longer knife as a "kirpan", he did call it a "large Sikh dagger".

Nevertheless, the case has led to some calls for the wearing of the kirpan to be banned.

Groups like the Sikh Federation say that British Sikhs understand the responsibilities that come with the privilege of wearing a kirpan and that once one is drawn, it is no longer legal but also no longer considered to be a kirpan.

Adina Campbell
UK correspondent

A source close to the home secretary says wording in the ‘commitment’ document relating to the 2022 Race Action Plan is clumsy.

We’re told the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the group that represents the most senior police officers in the UK, is reviewing the wording to ensure there is more clarity and everyone is equal in the eyes of the law.

Henry Nowak's murder raises questions about race, racism and people in positions of powerpublished at 19:02 BST

19:02 BST

Adina Campbell
UK correspondent

Image source, Family handout

Bodycam footage shows 18-year-old Henry Nowak being handcuffed and telling police "I can't breathe" shortly before he died, after his killer Vickrum Digwa, 23, lied to officers at the scene, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack.

Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said "this has not happened by accident, it is enshrined in the police's own policy documents".

Philp made reference to the Police Anti-Racism Commitment, born out of the 2022 Police Race Action Plan, which is a commitment by police to tackle racial inequalities by securing the trust of all ethnic groups.

It means officers have a duty to take a stand against racism in all forms and have to be transparent about their actions.

Philp told the Commons that the anti-racism commitment "urges police forces to reverse engineer the same arrest rates between ethnic groups, even though the offending rates are different".

The plan’s credibility continues to be questioned by anti-racism campaigners and ethnic minority communities who believe change is too slow.

Black and Asian people, for example, are still disproportionately stopped and searched by police in England and Wales according to the latest Home Office figures.

The National Black Police Association also withdrew its support for the plan after years of what it called “broken promises”.

The Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner has said there is no evidence of a "two-tiered culture" in policing and she is "concerned" about community tensions in Southampton.

Donna Jones told the BBC that Reform leader Nigel Farage's comments - that the case of Henry Nowak is evidence of a "two-tiered culture" - are "ill-judged" and Farage could be responsible for stoking up hate crime.

Jones has asked His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to conduct an urgent inspection into the matters arising from the murder of Henry Nowak.

This includes asking the Inspectorate to examine whether the handling of the call coming into the police control room, the way the officers were deployed, and the training they were given were all appropriate.

This is separate to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

“Henry’s family deserve answers and the public deserves reassurance that the police are trained to serve without fear or favour," Jones says.

Hampshire Police has confirmed the resignation of one of the officers involved in the Henry Nowak case.

A spokesperson said: "Three of the officers are still serving, one officer has resigned. As the IOPC has confirmed, they are all being treated as witnesses, so not subject to any current restrictions."

Image source, FAMILY HANDOUT

We've just heard the prime minister say that the police have "serious questions" to answer over how they handled the arrest of Harry Nowak, including how "accusations of racism" informed decision-making.

Here's a look back at what happened.

Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December last year while walking home after a night out.

He suffered stab wounds to his legs and a fatal wound to his heart from a 21cm (8in) blade. He was stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, who said he was carrying the blade as part of his Sikh faith.

When police arrived at the scene, bodycam footage shows Digwa claiming Nowak had taken his turban off and grabbed him by the hair in a racially-motivated attack. This was not true.

Officers then turn to Nowak, who can be heard repeating "I've been stabbed" and then "I can't breathe" while he is made to sit up to be handcuffed. An officer can be heard saying: "Don't think you have, mate."

While being handcuffed, Nowak says "I can't breathe" another three times.

On 1 June, Digwa was sentenced to life in prison, for a minimum of 21 years.

After speaking to broadcasters, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has posted on X saying there are "serious questions for the police to answer" after the murder of Henry Nowak.

Here's his post in full:

"Henry Nowak was kind, thoughtful and much-loved. His life was stolen from him, leaving his family and loved ones devastated.

"The bodycam footage is harrowing. It’s absolutely right that the IOPC is looking at this. There are serious questions for the police to answer."

Image source, Pool

Starmer says Reform leader Nigel Farage's response - in which he said the case is evidence of a "two-tiered culture" and called for "pure, cold rage" - is the "wrong reaction".

The PM says he takes his lead from the family of murdered teen Henry Nowak who say "they do not want this whipped up".

He adds that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation should reach its conclusion before considering if there should be a wider inquiry.

Starmer says "there are searching questions for the police that are going to have to be answered".

It is "absolutely right" that the police watchdog investigate this, he continues.

The prime minister also says there are "clearly serious questions that need to be addressed, not least how accusations of racism informed the decision making in this case".

"It is impossible to watch that footage and not appreciate that those questions absolutely have to be answered."

We're now hearing from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who says the police bodycam footage of Henry Nowak is "harrowing".

He says that as a father of a 17-year-old, he "felt sick" watching the footage.

Speaking to broadcasters, the prime minister says the 18-year-old was a "kind, thoughtful and much loved young man" and his death has been "devastating" for his family and everyone who knew him.

Image source, PA Media

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons earlier that the family of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student who was murdered in December last year, deserve answers. Here's a recap:

A brief reminder of the case

Shortly before he died on 3 December 2025, Nowak was handcuffed and arrested while he was telling police he had been stabbed and couldn't breathe.

His killer, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa had lied to police at the scene, saying he had been the victim of a racist attack. On Monday, Digwa was sentenced to life in prison for the murder.

Mahmood described Nowak's murder as "an act of pure evil" and called police bodycam footage showing officers handcuffing the 18-year-old "a disturbing and tragic thing to see".

The police watchdog investigation

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who are investigating Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's handling of the murder, today said the investigation remains ongoing.

It added the police officers called to the murder scene are being treated as witnesses, but that this will be kept under review.

The home secretary said this afternoon that the IOPC will be "encouraged" to find the truth and "if necessary, ensure there are consequences".

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp urged the IOPC to "urgently and transparently" report how police were "more concerned with the accusation of racism" than they were "in helping a dying man".

Image source, HANDOUT

Wider political reaction

Away from the Commons, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the case "awful" and "shocking", while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the incident is evidence of a "two-tier culture" in Britain.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the case shows "something has gone horribly wrong with policing" and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called it an "evil murder made so much worse by the police response".

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) says its investigation into Hampshire Constabulary's handling of the murder of Henry Nowak "remains ongoing".

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons a little earlier the IOPC will be "encouraged" to find the truth and "if necessary, ensure there are consequences". She added its findings will be reported "within the next three months".

In a recent statement, the police watchdog's director Derrick Campbell says:

• The investigation began following a mandatory referral from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police following Nowak's death in December 2025
• It will cover the contact officers had with Nowak prior to his death, "including the use of handcuffs by officers and the first aid provided"
• The IOPC will review a "large amount of police body worn footage", in the context of other evidence
• The officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses - but this will be kept under review

Vickrum Digwa has appeared in court, along with his brother and father, charged with multiple weapons offences.

Vickrum, 23, who has already been sentenced for the murder of Henry Nowak, appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court to face six counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a private place.

The alleged weapons are a flick knife, an extendable baton, knuckledusters, a machete, swords and kusaris.

His father, Moga Singh, 52, and his brother, Gurpreet Digwa, 27 - who are on bail - appeared alongside him to face the same charges.

Gurpreet also faced four additional charges:

• Possessing an offensive weapon, an asp, in a public place
• Possessing a prohibited weapon - an air rifle
• Possessing an axe in a public place
• Possessing a knife in a public place

All of the offences are dated 4 December 2025, the day after Nowak was killed.

The proceedings were adjourned until a further hearing on 9 July.

Image source, Pool

Away from the Commons, Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage echoed his earlier criticism that Henry Nowak's murder is an example of "two-tier Britain".

He says when the 18-year-old was handcuffed and losing consciousness "a false accusation of racism counted higher at that moment than somebody that was dying".

As a reminder, Nowak's killer Vickrum Digwa lied to the police attending the scene, saying he had been the victim of a racist attack.

Earlier, the Reform UK leader praised Henry's family for responding to the case in "the most extraordinarily dignified way".

His latest comments come as other party leaders including Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Ed Davey have shared their outrage over Nowak's killing - we have a recap what they've said.

Sammy Wilson, an MP with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), says that the UK has reached the stage where police "arrest a dying man because they're afraid of being accused of racism by his murderer".

He calls this "two-tier policing" which he says undermines police credibility.

Responding to this criticism, Home Secretary Mahmood says there can "be no suggestion of two-tier policing" and that "no one would ever stand for that".

The police "have to make quick decisions" every single day "in very difficult circumstances", she adds, and get things right "in the vast majority of cases".

But when things do go wrong, the circumstances should be investigated and lessons learned, she says.

Image source, Parliament TV

Image source, Parliament TV

Labour MP Gurinder Singh Josan, who is Sikh, says that he wears the Five Ks every day as part of his religious observance.

• For context, some practising Sikhs wear five symbols – called the Five Ks - to show their devotion to Sikhism. That includes a sacred knife called a kirpan, which practising Sikhs can wear close to the body under current legislation

"As a Sikh, I really struggle to express the feelings of sheer horror that this case has generated within me, my family and my friends," he says.

Josan says Henry's murder should be "condemned in its entirety", and says his family has shown "incredible dignity" in their grief.

"There is simply no religious justification for his actions," he says, adding that "that is the sentiment that is shared universally across the Sikh community".

Image source, Parliament TV

Reform UK's Robert Jenrick says the officer who handcuffed Henry Nowak as he lay dying should be prosecuted for a "total dereliction of duty".

He suggests some officers react in this way because of "elevated perceptions of ethnic minority communities over the safety of white British people".

Jenrick describes this as a "sickness" and asks if the home secretary will return to "equality before the law for all".

In response, Mahmood says this is not a moment to pit "white Britons against non-white Britons", and it would be inappropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the watchdog investigation.

Mahmood adds that all are equal before the law of the land; all should support that principle, she says, and not use it to pit citizens against one another.

Image source, Parliament TV

We're still following the ongoing debate in the Commons in response to the home secretary's address.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Labour MP for Slough - who is Sikh - says that the indignity of Henry Nowak's final moments "should never happen again".

He says it's "very galling" that Reform UK and the Restore Party have "decided to politicise people's pain" by "attacking" the Sikh community for wearing ceremonial kirpan knives, even though that wasn't the kind of knife used in the attack.

Reform has "decided to scapegoat and throw under the bus an entire community", Dhesi says, and he asks for assurances for Sikhs in the UK who are "horrified and ashamed of this brutal murder".

In response, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says that "religious freedom is a very important principle" and that the UK is "not a country that collectively punishes an entire group of people for the actions of individuals".

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has just addressed the Commons on the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was stabbed multiple times by Vickrum Digwa, 23.

She described the murder as a "horrifying" and "evil" act, describing what Nowak’s family has gone through as "unimaginable".

Here's what else she said:

• Mahmood described bodycam footage of officers handcuffing Nowak as he lay dying as "disturbing and tragic"
• She said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will be "encouraged" to find the truth and "if necessary, ensure there are consequences"
• The home secretary said there had been a "dangerous undercurrent" in the reaction to the murder, which has led to a misidentified police officer being forced to relocate for his safety
• On knife crime, she says the government is "committed to halving knife crime in this decade", and that Nowak’s murder shows "clearly we must do more"
• She said that this is not a case about Sikhism or racism, but about murder, adding that "we do not believe in collective punishment in this country"

Mahmood added that Digwa's mother has also been convicted of assisting an offender, while the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised further charges against other members of his family.

Image source, Parliament TV

Liberal Democrat Max Wilkinson says police officers work "under high stress" and must make "split-second decisions".

But the ones involved in this case "made a clear and terrible mistake" and their decision is "one that failed Henry", says Wilkinson.

He says the investigation must make sure recommendations are made "so nothing like this can happen again".

Wilkinson says the right to practice one's faith "cannot be contingent upon the colour of any individual's skin".

He says Digwa "betrayed his faith" - and reminds the House that Henry's father has said that he does not want his son's death to be used to create "further hatred, division or tension".