Baroness Doreen Lawrence’s comments come following intense scrutiny of the police response
Baroness Doreen Lawrence has spoken out against the police handling of Henry Nowak’s killing, asserting that officers “should be at fault” over their management of the teenager’s final moments.
The mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence delivered her remarks in the House of Lords as controversy continued to mount following the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry in Southampton.
Extending her condolences to Henry’s loved ones, Baroness Lawrence said: “My condolence goes out to Henry Nowak’s family. I think what’s happened with him should never have happened. And the police should be at fault for what happened on that night.”
Her comments follow the publication of police bodycam footage showing officers placing Henry in handcuffs after the man who stabbed him allegedly claimed to have been subjected to racist abuse, reports the Express. The footage, which has ignited widespread public outrage across the country, captures Henry repeatedly informing officers he had been stabbed before the gravity of his injuries was finally acknowledged.
Vickrum Digwa, 23, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years earlier this week, having been found guilty of Henry’s murder.
A GB News report indicates that Lady Lawrence also appeared to take issue with comparisons drawn between this case and the death of her own son Stephen, whose racially motivated killing in South East London in 1993 became one of the most landmark criminal cases in contemporary British history.
Reflecting on the prolonged struggle for justice following Stephen’s death, she addressed the House of Lords: “Now, when my son was murdered, there was nobody standing up and asking for judgment to happen for him. And the mere fact that the Leader of the Opposition in the other place can use my son’s name in referring to reform – it took 20 years and more for anybody to understand the murder of my son and to have anybody convicted.”
Her remarks came in response to comments made by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who contended that Henry’s killing and the subsequent police handling of the case ought to serve as a defining moment for Britain.
Ms Badenoch had previously stated: “Henry’s murder and the police’s botched response must be a seminal moment for Britain on a par with the murder of Stephen Lawrence.”
Lady Lawrence also reflected on changes brought about by her family’s tireless campaign for justice. She told the House of Lords: “What we’ve moved on to is a much better equality for all in this country.”
The Henry Nowak case has sparked intense examination of the conduct of officers present at the scene, with Hampshire Police having already extended an apology to the teenager’s family. An inquiry by the Independent Office for Police Conduct is still under way.
Meanwhile, Hampshire Police Federation has spoken out against online harassment targeting officers and cautioned against demands for “vigilante justice” following the wrongful identification of certain individuals on social media. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Robert France had previously stated that officers were misled by the information initially at their disposal and were managing what he characterised as an “extremely complex” incident.
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