Hampshire Police drafted a statement during the Henry Nowak murder trial to counter online misinformation, but were warned by the CPS it could jeopardise the case against his convicted killer
Hampshire Police had planned to release a statement tackling “disinformation” during the trial of Henry Nowak’s killer, but were cautioned by the Crown Prosecution Service that doing so could put the case at risk.
It is understood that concerns had been raised over online commentary and the potential for public disorder, prompting Hampshire Police to seek the CPS’s guidance on issuing a message informing the public that questions would be addressed once proceedings had concluded, according to The Sunday Times.
Prosecutors warned the force that such a move could threaten the “integrity” of the case against Vickrum Digwa.
Mr Nowak, an 18 year old student, was handcuffed by officers who disregarded his desperate pleas that he had been stabbed, as he lay dying after Digwa claimed to have been the victim of a racist attack in December last year.
Digwa received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years behind bars for stabbing Mr Nowak with a ceremonial knife bearing a 21cm blade, which he carried as part of his Sikh faith.
Widespread outrage followed the release of police body-worn footage showing Mr Nowak being restrained in handcuffs moments before he lost consciousness and died.
Eleven individuals have since been charged following violent confrontations at protests in the wake of the sentencing.
It is understood the statement outlined the court case process, reminded the public that nothing could be published that might prejudice legal proceedings, and confirmed that police would respond to questions once the trial had concluded. A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “The CPS highlighted to the police that protecting the integrity of the ongoing trial was essential, and of the risks of referring to any aspect of the evidence before it had been heard by the court and the case had been summed up by the judge to the jury.
“However, it was made clear that whether a statement was released was ultimately a police operational decision.”
A spokeswoman for Hampshire Police told The Sunday Times: “Following the opening of the trial and the media reporting that followed, a significant amount of mis- and disinformation was circulating online.
“This included requests for information to be shared that had not been fully examined as part of the murder trial.
“The intention of the statement was to remind the public that there were ongoing legal proceedings and that the law is clear that nothing could be published which could prejudice the trial. The decision not to publish was taken following advice from the CPS.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is currently examining Hampshire Police’s handling of Mr Nowak’s case. Mr Nowak’s father Mark has said the family “do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension”, yet the manner in which police dealt with the student has ignited a significant political row. The Prime Minister has urged politicians to respect the teenager’s family’s pleas not to use the case “to cause disturbances”, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has faced criticism for calling on people to respond with “pure, cold rage”.
In a piece written for The Sunday Times, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused senior police figures of “institutional incompetence” in the training provided to officers. She said: “It is the police chiefs, operationally independent from government, who must take responsibility for letting that happen.
“I believe the issue is the training [officers] are given. Well-meaning, but totally wrong-headed, lacking in common sense and, possibly illegal… The problem is not institutional racism towards blacks or whites but institutional incompetence.”
On Friday, US Vice President JD Vance called for “righteous anger” in response to the killing of Mr Nowak, laying part of the blame on “the mass invasion of migrants”.
His remarkable remarks prompted a swift response from Downing Street, which condemned “people trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets”.
No 10 also turned its fire on US tech billionaire Elon Musk, accusing him of attempting to “whip up division” after he declared his willingness to fund a private prosecution against Hampshire Police.