The Independent Office for Police Conduct’s has opened an investigation into the actions of two Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary officers this morning over the Henry Nowak case. The IOPC says:
“We have now advised two HIOWC officers that they are under investigation for potential gross misconduct. The evidence indicates that both officers – who were the first to arrive at the scene late in the evening of 3 December 2025 – may have potentially breached the professional behaviour standards of duties and responsibilities, use of force, and discreditable conduct.
These relate to potential failures by the officers to recognise that Henry needed urgent medical attention, to immediately act after he said he had been stabbed and he couldn’t breathe, and the decision to arrest and handcuff Henry rather than provide immediate first aid.
There’s also an indication one of the officers may have breached the standard relating to authority, respect and courtesy, for appearing to dismiss Henry saying he had been stabbed.”
Nowak’s family have made formal complaints about the force. IOPC Director of Engagement Derrick Campbell said:
“There is clear evidence that public confidence in the force may have been seriously harmed by this incident, and that is a factor we must consider when assessing the evidence.
The serving of gross misconduct notices does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow. At the end of our investigation, we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.”
The IOPC also says it is “investigating whether the race or religion of either Henry or the Digwa family impacted on the actions and decision making of the officers, whether officers’ decisions were influenced by assumptions or prejudice relating to community tensions at the time, and complaints made by Henry’s family about differences in how Henry was treated by officers compared to how Digwa and his family members were treated upon their arrests.” Ongoing…
Badenoch said at her speech on Monday morning: “We are absolutely ready to fight a general election. We say the results in Aberdeen South: 50% of the vote. Because we can unite the country… It’s about uniting the country, for God’s sake, behind a centre-right agenda.”