Starmer condemns handcuffed teen's death as police response sparks protests

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says there are "serious questions that need to be addressed" after the death of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak.

Mr Nowak was filmed on police body cam being handcuffed while he lay dying from stab wounds after his killer falsely alleged a racist attack.

An independent investigation into the police officers' conduct leading to Mr Nowak's death has been called.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says he "felt sick" while watching a video released by police of an 18-year-old student who was handcuffed while he lay dying from stab wounds after his killer falsely alleged a racist attack.

Henry Nowak died after the knife attack in the southern England city of Southampton last December.

Henry Nowak died after being stabbed stabbed with a knife his attacker, Vickrum Digwa, said he was permitted to carry due to exemptions for Sikhs to have ceremonial daggers. (Reuters: Isabel Infantes)

His killer, Vickrum Digwa, a 23-year-old Sikh man, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, local time, having lied to police at the time that Mr Nowak had assaulted him.

In police body cam footage, Mr Nowak is seen lying on his back on the street, saying "I've been stabbed" and "I can't breathe" while an officer responds, "I don't think you have, mate".

Sir Keir said the video proved that "there are clearly serious questions that need to be addressed".

"Henry Nowak was a kind, thoughtful and much-loved young man, and this has understandably been devastating for his parents, for his family, and everybody who knew him," he said.

"My thoughts, I'm sure the thoughts of everybody in the country, are with Henry's family. His life has been stolen, and they are understandably devastated.

More than 1,000 protesters took to the streets of Southampton to protest the stabbing death of Henry Nowak. (AP: Gareth Fuller/PA)

"I have seen the body cam footage. It's harrowing, and I have to say, as a father of a 17-year-old boy, I felt sick watching it.

"It is absolutely right that the IOPC [Independent Office for Police Conduct] is looking at this. There are clearly serious questions that need to be addressed, not least how accusations of racism informed the decision-making in this case," he said.

Henry Nowak was filmed on police body cam telling responding officers that he had been stabbed and he could not breathe. (AP: Gareth Fuller/PA)

A large group of more than 1,000 protesters marched through Southampton's city centre towards the scene of the crime on Tuesday, local time, and attacked police blocking the road with stones, bottles a