Claim fa1abff2Checked 21 Jul 2026
TrueOn the truth scale
“Keir Starmer found watching the bodycam footage really difficult.”
Reasoning & Evidence21 Jul 2026
The claim that "Keir Starmer found watching the bodycam footage really difficult" is directly supported by multiple independent news sources reporting on his public statements.
In his speech at PMQs on 3 June 2026, Starmer said: "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." This was reported by multiple outlets. The BBC stated: "Speaking to broadcasters earlier on Tuesday, Sir Keir said the bodycam footage was 'really harrowing' and he had 'felt sick watching it'." The Independent confirmed: "The prime minister said he 'felt sick' watching footage of police handcuffing the student as he lay dying."
The footage in question was publicly released by Hampshire Police with the family's permission and showed 18-year-old Henry Nowak being handcuffed while telling officers "I can't breathe" and "I've been stabbed" as he lay dying — after his killer, Vickrum Digwa, falsely claimed to police that he had been the victim of a racist attack. The harrowing nature of the footage was independently corroborated by Hampshire Police's Chief Constable Alexis Boon, who said: "What was filmed there is a tragedy, an absolute tragedy. You can't help but be affected by it. It's very difficult to watch."
While the claim ultimately concerns a personal emotional reaction (a "state of mind"), it is a publicly made statement about widely available footage whose harrowing nature is independently confirmed by multiple sources, including the Chief Constable of the force that released it. There is no contradicting evidence.
Sources: BBC News - "Henry Nowak arrest footage raises 'serious questions for police', PM says" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8pn9ng5zlo); BBC News - "Murdered student Henry Nowak told police 'I can't breathe' while handcuffed" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crlpyw05l75o); The Independent - "In full: Starmer grilled at PMQs after violent clashes over Henry Nowak death" (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/henry-nowak-starmer-pmqs-live-stream-b2988866.html); BBC News - "How Southampton police took eight minutes to find Henry Nowak's fatal stab wound" (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2v02r105jo)
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] | independent.co.uk |
| [2] | bbc.com |
| [3] | the-independent.com |
| [4] | bbc.com |
| [5] | youtube.com |
| [6] | bbc.co.uk |
| [7] | bbc.co.uk |
| [8] | bbc.com |
| [9] | bbc.co.uk |
| [10] | independent.co.uk |
| [11] | bbc.co.uk |