“Henry Nowak’s son died in appalling circumstances.”

**Analysis of the claim:** The speech context clarifies what Starmer meant: "Henry Nowak's family have shown extraordinary dignity after their son's life was stolen in appalling circumstances." The "their son" refers to Henry Nowak himself — he was the son of the Nowak family who died. The claim as literally phrased ("Henry Nowak's son died") could be misread as meaning Henry Nowak had a son who died, but in context it means Henry Nowak, who was a son, died in appalling circumstances. **Factual verification:** Henry Nowak was an 18-year-old Southampton University student who was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa on 3 December 2025 in Southampton. Digwa stabbed Nowak with a 21cm blade, including a fatal wound to the chest. After the stabbing, Digwa falsely told police he had been the victim of a racist attack. When officers arrived, they handcuffed Nowak as he lay dying, despite him repeatedly saying "I can't breathe" and "I've been stabbed." Officers initially did not believe he had been stabbed. Bodycam footage showed this treatment, which his family described as "inhumane and degrading." His father, Mark Nowak, said "Henry did not die with dignity." Two officers are now under investigation for gross misconduct by the IOPC, which is also examining whether race or religion influenced the officers' actions. The IOPC is investigating whether "accusations of racism informed police thinking" — matching Starmer's speech. Following the trial, there were disorder/attacks on police in Southampton, which Starmer also referenced. These circumstances — a young man stabbed to death and then handcuffed and disbelieved by police as he lay dying — can fairly be described as "appalling circumstances." The claim is accurate. **Note:** Henry Nowak was the victim (the son), not the father. His father's name is Mark Nowak. The claim, when read in context, correctly refers to Henry Nowak as the son who died. Sources: BBC News — "Murdered student Henry Nowak 'did not die with dignity' says family" (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62ek7lk553o); BBC News — "Henry Nowak arrest footage raises 'serious questions for police', PM says" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8pn9ng5zlo); BBC News — "Henry Nowak case: What happened and why it sparked national outrage" (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpvpv2xylgeo); BBC News — "Two officers in Henry Nowak case investigated for gross misconduct" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6ezln069vo); The Independent — "Henry Nowak's father says the way police treated his dying son was 'inhumane and degrading'" (https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/crime/henry-nowak-stabbing-police-handcuffs-b2987717.html)