Police watchdog chief tells Britons to stop speculating about Henry Nowak’s murder

The head of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now warned discussion of the case could risk prejudicing the investigation.

Derek Campbell said he was "acutely aware" of the public interest around the case, but urged people not to engage in speculation.

The statement in full read: "We are acutely aware of the public interest in this case.

"We would respectfully ask people to stop speculating on an ongoing live investigation.

"This investigation is going to fully establish the circumstances of the case, including whether there may be misconduct on the part of any of the officers involved.

"The ongoing commentary about the evidence and speculation risks prejudicing any potential processes and preventing Henry Nowak's family getting the answers they deserve."

Hampshire Police has taken the officers involved in Mr Nowak's arrest off frontline policing duties, the force's Chief Constable confirmed.

Two officers are still with the force, and the third has resigned, it is understood.

And Chief Constable Alexis Boon told GB News: "We understand and appreciate as police officers that we are accountable for our actions.

"What we ask, however, is that those actions are judged through fair and transparent processes. In this case, that process is already underway with the IOPC conducting their independent investigation."

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones described the 18-year-old's death was a "national tragedy".

The Conservative politician said her office would carry out an "urgent review on the carrying of bladed articles for religious and ceremonial purposes".

Digwa was a member of the Sikh faith - a religion which carries a large ceremonial blade on the person known as a kirpan at all times.

Mr Nowak's tragic death sparked a fiery debate over "two-tier" policing during a fiery PMQs on Wednesday.

Hampshire Police officers were trained to be aware of racism, unconscious bias, and privilege, alongside the contested critical race theory,

The Times reported that one in seven at the Hampshire Police felt "controlled and pressured" to adopt the notion.

Source added there was a fear that "mistakes would have been held against me", while another told the newspaper there was a fear of being "rejected for saying the wrong thing".

A spokesman for the Attorney General said: "We have received multiple requests for Vickrum Digwa's sentence to be considered under the unduly lenient sentence scheme.

"The law officers have 28 days from sentencing to carefully consider the case and make a decision."

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