The Government will make a statement to MPs today on Henry Nowak’s murder after a major intervention by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
The Prime Minister, who managed a brief response to Vickrum Digwa’s sentencing yesterday, has been compelled to send a minister to the House of Commons to address the case which has shocked the nation.
Sir Lindsay exercised a little-used mechanism to demand a response after MPs voiced fury at Labour last week.
He told MPs yesterday: “There has been significant public interest in the case involving the murder of Henry Nowak.
“The case is of legitimate interest to the House… My understanding and agreement is that the Government will bring forward a statement on this matter tomorrow.”
Sir Lindsay added: “I’d look favourably to bring on attempts to bring the issues raised by this case before the House by other means if not.”
Former Attorney General Sir Michael Ellis told GB News: “This is why Sir Lindsay Hoyle is a very popular Speaker – he knows that the Government should have been saying something. They haven’t.
“He is now compelling them to say something on the floor of the House of Commons. That’s the right thing to do.”
It is not yet known who will be made to face MPs – Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood could take to the floor, as could Policing Minister Sarah Jones, who last week responded to Digwa’s conviction on behalf of the Government.
Commenting on the mechanism used by Sir Lindsay, Sir Michael added: “It’s not unheard of, but it’s rare.”
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RECAP: What Keir Starmer said about Henry Nowak’s murder after PM was shamed into breaking silence
Sir Keir Starmer finally broke his silence on the murder of Henry Nowak yesterday after being shamed for failing to release a statement.
The Prime Minister, who was quick to condemn US police officers following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, penned an 89-word response after Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life for killing the 18-year-old with a Sikh ceremonial knife, known as a kirpan.
“This an awful, shocking case,” Sir Keir said. “Henry’s loved ones have gone through the trauma of a long trial and endured Henry’s killer making up appalling claims about their son who was thoughtful, kind and deeply loved.
“It is right that the IOPC is investigating the police’s response to his senseless murder.
“And we must end the cycle of tragedy by tackling the horror of knife crime.
“Henry’s family, friends, his university and the city of Southampton will continue to feel his loss, and our thoughts will always be with them.
“And we must end the cycle of tragedy by tackling the horror of knife crime.
“Henry’s family, friends, his university and the city of Southampton will continue to feel his loss, and our thoughts will always be with them.”
‘It’s UNFATHOMABLE!’ Former police officer MP issues heartbreaking reaction to footage of Henry Nowak’s arrest
Jonathan Hinder, a Labour MP and former police inspection, branded police’s reaction to seeing Henry Nowak on the floor “unfathomable” last night.
After witnessing the footage of Mr Nowak’s arrest, Mr Hinder said: “From what I’ve seen… it’s unfathomable.
“If you are presented with a situation like that as a police officer, we have emergency life support training. We should be treating it as an emergency if someone is telling you those things,” he said.
On the floor, the dying student told officers several times “I have been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe”.
Mr Hinder, speaking on BBC Newsnight, went on to brand the use of handcuffs “impossible to explain”.
He then condemned the “apparent indifference” of officers and the “casual nature” with which police told the 18-year-old: “You’ve been stabbed, mate? I don’t think you have.”
He added that he had “every sympathy” for police officers who turn up late at night to a call-out and may not have the full picture of what is going on – but admitted their first instinct should be to deliver first aid and save a life.
Nigel Farage declares ‘white lives matter too’ after police finally release footage of Henry Nowak’s arrest
Nigel Farage has declared “white lives matter too” after police finally released harrowing bodycam footage of officers handcuffing 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
The Reform UK leader, who piled pressure on Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to release the footage, suggested the university student’s arrest was an example of two-tier justice.
Officers were recorded approaching Nowak after the 18-year-old was stabbed with a 21cm Sikh ceremonial knife five times on his way home from a night out in Southampton on December 3 last year.
Mr Nowak, who was pushed into the gravel on a driveway, told officers in attendance “I have been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe”.
Following the release of the footage last night, Mr Farage said: “This is the most shocking footage of discrimination that you will ever see.
“A white boy being handcuffed by police officers more concerned by an accusation of racism than an act of murder.
“This must be a turning point. White lives matter too.”
READ THE FULL STORY ON THE REFORM UK LEADER’S REACTION HERE