'Let's have some transparency!' Ex-Met Police detective tears into 'appalling' treatment of Henry Nowak by officers

Mr Nowak, 18, was handcuffed by police officers after telling them he had been stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa.

Issuing a public apology, Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France of Hampshire Constabulary said of Mr Nowak's death: "I’m sorry that Henry’s life couldn’t be saved that night, and I’m sorry that he was handcuffed and arrested in the moments before he lost consciousness.

"When his killer made that call to the police, and he called the police, not the ambulance service, he lied on that call. He lied when police attended the scene. He continued to lie as Henry’s condition deteriorated."

Expressing his outrage at how the police handled the situation, Mr Bleksley argued that a "basic cursory investigation" would have "established the facts".

He told GB News: "Of course this was a dynamic situation when the police officers arrived, but to take the word of one man immediately over the word of another, probably because of ingrained racial bias, is of course appalling.

"He told the police officers he had been stabbed. Even the most cursory examination of Henry Nowak may would have established that he had five stab wounds, and one of them turned out to be fatal. It's basic common sense policing."

Mr Bleksley stressed that the role of a police officer first and foremost is to "protect life and property".

He stated: "Let us not forget that the primary role of the police is the protection of life and property, so of course they failed hugely in that.

"And I think the disgraceful comments by the Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France this afternoon have only had put fuel on the fire."

The ex-detective called for "transparency" in the investigation into the officers, urging the force to make the bodycam footage of the incident public.

He said: "Let's see what those officers said, and if there's sensitivities around that so it can't be released, then give the public a full transcript of what was said, a transcript of what went on. Let's have some transparency.

"Henry Nowak had apparently tried to escape the scene to prevent being stabbed anymore, so just the most cursory, basic investigation would have established the facts and their behaviour should have been so different."

Criticising Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France, Mr Bleksley took issue with his "insensitive" assessment of Mr Novak's death.

Mr Bleksley told GB News: "I think he was very, very insensitive and he was very quick to say that the pathologist said that it wouldn't have mattered if first aid had been applied, they couldn't have saved Mr Nowak.

"But I think he's deeply insensitive and I can only imagine what the family might feel about that. And he was trying to put forward a defence of officers when of course an independent Office of Police Conduct investigation has not delivered any ruling yet."

An IOPC spokesman said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Henry Nowak’s family and everyone affected by his death.

"We are independently investigating the contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight officers had with Mr Nowak prior to his death on December 4, including the use of handcuffs by officers and the first aid provided.

"Our investigation, which began following a mandatory referral from the force that we received the same day, remains ongoing and the officers involved are currently being treated as witnesses."

Hampshire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office of Police Conduct.

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: "This is a truly horrific case, and my thoughts are with Henry’s family and friends. No verdict can undo the pain they are living with, but I hope today brings some small measure of justice.

"It is right that an IOPC investigation has been launched into the actions of the police to get to the truth."