Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has pledged to provide answers to the family of murder victim Henry Nowak, as she announced an independent review.

Vickrum Digwa , 23, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years at Southampton Crown Court in June for the murder of the 18-year-old finance student on 3 December, 2025.

The case sparked protests and violence after a three-minute police body-worn video was released showing Nowak, from Chafford Hundred, Essex, being placed in handcuffs moments before he became unconscious and subsequently died.

The review will be led by former lord chancellor Alex Chalk and will look at “any missed opportunities to intervene”, Ms Mahmood told the Commons.

Nowak was handcuffed as he lay dying, after Digwa, a Sikh, falsely accused him of racial abuse.

Henry Nowak was stabbed last December (Family handout)

In police body-worn camera footage, Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying: “I’ve been stabbed,” to which an officer replies: “Don’t think you have, mate.”

Speaking in…