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Mahmood announces independent review into Henry Nowak murder case

The two-part review, led by former Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC, is due to report initial findings within five months.

Updated Oct 26, 2026 · 18:16 UTC2 reports

The short version

  • Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced an independent review into the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton.[BBC News]
  • The review will be led by former Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC and carried out in two parts, with the second following the IOPC investigation into police officers' conduct.[BBC News]
  • Nowak's family and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the review, and initial findings are due within five months.[BBC News · The Guardian]
  • Vickrum Digwa, jailed for life in June with a minimum term of 21 years, has permission to challenge the sentence length on 5 November.[BBC News · The Guardian]

Key facts

  • Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced an independent review into the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was stabbed in Southampton in December by Vickrum Digwa.[BBC News · The Guardian]
  • Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years, handed down on 1 June.[BBC News]
  • The review will be led by former Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC and will report initial findings within five months.[BBC News · The Guardian]
  • The review will be conducted in two parts, with phase two following the conclusion of the Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation.[BBC News]
  • Digwa has permission to challenge the length of his sentence at the Court of Appeal on 5 November.[The Guardian]
  • Nowak's family described the review as a significant moment in their fight for justice.[BBC News · The Guardian]
  • Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the decision to launch the review and called for proper accountability.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The review's findings and any conclusions on police conduct are not yet known, and phase two depends on the IOPC investigation concluding.[BBC News · The Guardian]
  • The outcome of Digwa's challenge to his sentence length is unknown, since the Court of Appeal hearing has not yet taken place.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.