Mahmood has 'full confidence' in IOPC despite scrutiny over Henry Nowak murder case

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has defended the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as the watchdog faces scrutiny over its handling of the Henry Nowak murder case. Bodycam footage showing officers arresting 18-year-old Henry in Southampton as he lay dying of stab wounds, having been falsely accused of racist abuse by his killer Vickrum Digwa, sparked global condemnation. Not only did Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary receive intense scrutiny for the way officers were shown dismissing his cries for help, but the IOPC was also criticised over its own subsequent investigation.

Speaking to ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand, Mahmood said the IOPC "does good work every day" and that "they have a difficult job to do". "They're the people we turn to when things have gone wrong within policing," she added. Henry Nowak was a first-year accounting and finance student at the University of Southampton. Credit: Family handout Last week the home secretary announced an independent review, led by the former lord chancellor Alex Chalk, into the circumstances surrounding Henry's death in police custody in December 2025.

It will consider the treatment of Henry's family across the criminal justice system. Once the IOPC has concluded its own investigation, expected to wrap up early next year, Chalk will examine the actions of the watchdog. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary made a mandatory self-referral to the IOPC following Henry's death, as is standard for any deaths involving police interactions. The investigation was widened after footage of Henry's arrest became public, with two officers placed under investigation for potential gross misconduct.

A letter sent to Henry's family by the IOPC in April said that after “careful consideration of the available evidence” no officers “would be subject to conduct or criminal investigation”. It read: “This was because there were no concerns identified in relation to officer actions and decisions that would be so serious as to justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, should they be proven or admitted.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood tells ITV News' Paul Brand she still has full confidence in the IOPC Play Brightcove video The letter added the decision not to investigate attending officers would be “kept under review throughout the life cycle of the case”.

However, in July, the IOPC announced in July that two officers were under investigation for potential gross misconduct. The watchdog said it is investigating potential failures by the officers to realise that Henry needed urgent medical attention, to take action when he said he had been stabbed and could not breathe, and the decision to arrest and handcuff him instead of providing first aid. One of the officers is also under investigation for potentially breaching conduct standards by dismissing the teenager’s claim that he had been stabbed.

The watchdog is also looking at whether race or religion played a part in the officers’ decision making. Vickrum Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years Credit: Hampshire Police/PA Digwa, 23, who stabbed Henry five times with a 21cm blade he said he carried as part of his Sikh faith, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years in June. Put to by Brand that questions over the IOPC's competence are growing, over the handling of the Nottingham attack case and many others, Mahmood insisted she had full confidence in the watchdog.

“It would be wrong of me to pre-empt any findings that Alex Chalk might make about what's happened with the IOPC in this [Henry Nowak's] case,” she said. This week Henry Nowak's family spoke out for the first time over their son's death , criticising some politicians for using his murder to advance their own agendas. "Olivia's lost her brother, and I've lost my son. I'm not interested in your political game," his mother, Lucy Ross, said.

Henry Nowak with his father, stepmother and siblings. Credit: Family handout Henry's father, Mark Nowak, told ITV News his son "was not a divisive person" and the political response to his murder "didn't sit with Henry's values or our values". A Home Office spokesperson told ITV News: “The murder of Henry Nowak was a tragedy. His life was cruelly cut short in a horrific and senseless act of violence. "Our thoughts are with Henry’s family who have experienced unimaginable loss.

We are continuing discussions with Sikh stakeholders and the police about the law on carrying knives in public and the religious reasons defence. “The Home Secretary has also announced a rapid independent review, led by Alex Chalk KC, into the circumstances surrounding Henry’s murder, including whether opportunities were missed and whether lessons can be learned. “This government is committed to halving knife crime in a decade, and it is down 11% in the last two years.

But while there are still tragedies like this, there is more to do.” 'Not interested in your game': Nowak family say don't politicise son's murder ‘Manipulated in our darkest hours’: Henry Nowak’s family say police misled them Hampshire and Isle of Wight Chief Constable, Alexis Boon told ITV News: “Henry’s murder was a devastating tragedy, and our thoughts remain with his family and all those who loved him. "I am incredibly sorry that in his final moments, when he needed us most, we failed him.

I recognise that, for Henry's family, this has been about more than the circumstances of one night. "They have rightly raised serious concerns about the police response and their treatment throughout the investigation and since. No family should ever find themselves in this position. “The events surrounding Henry's death remain subject to extensive independent scrutiny. We are co-operating fully with the reviews by the Home Office and HMICFRS, the IOPC investigations and the coronial inquest.

But I will not wait for their findings to make changes. “Henry deserved better. His family deserved better. I am determined that we learn every lesson from this tragedy and ensure families who place their trust in us are treated with honesty, compassion and professionalism.” Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell told ITV News: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Henry’s family and friends for their tragic loss.

"The IOPC is committed to establishing the full circumstances of this case, including whether any of the officers involved should face disciplinary proceedings, and providing Henry's family with answers to the questions they rightly have about how the police treated Henry in the way they did on that terrible night, and why. “Our investigators continue to have regular contact with Henry's family. Since Vickrum Digwa was convicted of his murder, they have met with members of Henry’s family on a number of occasions to provide them with updates and to explore their concerns, about police actions and our investigation, in more detail.

“We are working hard to conclude our independent investigation as quickly as possible while ensuring we have robustly explored all lines of enquiry.” You can watch the ITV Tonight special ‘Dear Henry: Our Fight for Justice’ at 9pm on Thursday, November 5, on ITV1, ITVX, STV and ITV News YouTube Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...