Plymouth’s new Lord Mayor has refused a request to hold a minute’s silence in memory of murdered teenager Henry Nowak.
Lord Mayor Councillor Kevin Sproston (Labour, Budshead) was “instrumental” in bringing the Knife Angel to Plymouth but has refused a request to remember 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was tragically stabbed to death.
The request was made by Chaz Singh, a prominent member of Plymouth’s Sikh community, who asked councillors to remember Henry’s death with a minute of silence at this afternoon’s Full Council meeting.
In a letter responding to the formal request, Lord Mayor Cllr Sproston said Henry’s murder was “deeply shocking” and accepted that “many people would see such a gesture as a meaningful way to reflect and show solidarity.”
Cllr Sproston added that he had given the request “very careful and thoughtful consideration” but said he must “respectfully decline” a formal minute of silence at the Full Council meeting.
In the letter, Cllr Sproston said Plymouth City Council “continues to develop its approach” to requests for formal recognition in a civic setting.
He also said decisions about recognition at council meetings must be handled with care to support “unity, understanding, and positive relationships across the city.”
Henry Nowak, 18, was murdered by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton, who stabbed him five times as Henry walked back to his student accommodation.
His murder has sparked debate across the globe, including protests here in Plymouth, after police initially handcuffed Henry as he lay dying from stab wounds.
At sentencing, His Honour Judge William Mousley KC said officers had been given a “convincing but wholly false narrative” by Digwa.
The judge said “it was dark and Henry was wearing a dark top” and that the entry damage caused by the knife “would not have been obvious.”
He added that officers “were faced with having to make quick decisions in pressurised circumstances about the best way to act.”
The judge also said the officer’s “genuine shock” when he realised Henry had a serious chest wound showed he was doing his best in a very difficult situation.
An investigation into the actions of the officers who had contact with Henry before his death is being conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Sikh community organisations have said the blade used by Digwa was not a kirpan, the small blade Sikhs are permitted to carry in the UK as an article of faith.
They say it was a larger Persian-style blade linked to Digwa’s association with Nihang, a Sikh warrior tradition.
Do you agree with the Lord Mayor’s decision? Have your say in the comments.
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