Claim 443d0526Checked 21 Jul 2026
TrueOn the truth scale
“Henry’s family does not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred, or tension.”
Reasoning & Evidence21 Jul 2026
The claim is well-supported by multiple independent sources. Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old Southampton university student, was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in December 2025. After Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years on Monday, June 1, 2026, Henry's father Mark Nowak made a statement outside Southampton Crown Court. Multiple news outlets — BBC News, AP News, and The Independent — all report Mark Nowak saying: "We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred, or tension. We want his story to make our streets safer for everyone." This was specifically a call for calm after protests and clashes occurred in Southampton following the case.
The quote as used by Keir Starmer in his June 3, 2026 speech accurately reflects what Henry's father said. The claim is accurate.
Sources: BBC News (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy04vl9k5zxo), AP News (https://apnews.com/article/uk-stabbing-arrest-racism-police-henry-nowak-71085810a12499ffa68721478e6e983c), The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/henry-nowak-father-keir-starmer-video-b2988702.html), BBC News (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1e2ww900zno)
From speech
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this really important case. My thoughts are with Henry’s family, as are the thoughts of the whole House and the whole country, I am sure. I have watched the bodycam footage, as others will have done, and I found it really hard. It was harrowing. As a dad of a 17-year-old boy, I felt sick. I can only imagine how devastated his family are. It is extremely moving. Henry’s life has been stolen. His family have responded with incredible and immense dignity and bravery. There clearly are lessons that need to be learned and serious questions that need to be addressed, not least the question of how accusations of racism informed decision making in such cases. Henry’s father said this: “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.” They are the words of a grieving father who has lost his son. I think those words have resonated with people across the country. We must not allow this tragedy to be hijacked by anyone who seeks to divide us.
Sources opened
| [1] | apnews.com |
| [2] | independent.co.uk |
| [3] | bbc.co.uk |
| [4] | bbc.co.uk |
| [5] | bbc.co.uk |
| [6] | apnews.com |
| [7] | bbc.co.uk |
| [8] | bbc.com |
| [9] | bbc.com |
| [10] | independent.co.uk |