PM declines full backing for police watchdog in Nowak case

ITV reported that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, declined to give the Independent Office for Police Conduct his full backing after Henry Nowak's family said they felt manipulated by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and the IOPC. The family made their feelings known in interviews with ITV. ITV's UK editor Paul Brand said the Home Secretary had previously told him she had full confidence in the IOPC. He said some people had understandably asked whether she was the only one with that confidence, given the scale of the family's revelations.

According to ITV, the IOPC told the family weeks before bodycam footage emerged that it had found no serious misconduct by police. Mr Brand said that when the allegations were put to the Prime Minister for the first time, he did not express the same confidence in the IOPC.

Mr Burnham said 'clearly they have been let down'. He said the Chief Constable had issued an apology and the Home Secretary had met the family and promised to review things in the round. He said it was right at this moment to allow the Home Secretary to conduct that review and that she would have his full support. He also said the Home Secretary would look at the IOPC's handling of the case.

ITV reported that the review into Nowak's case will look at the IOPC's involvement as one of several things and is due to report back in March. The IOPC continues its investigation into Hampshire Police and is due to conclude its review into the whole case in January, according to ITV. Mr Burnham paid credit to ITV for giving the family the ability to put over what they believe needs to be addressed.