Sikh MPs say Nowak murder was not about their religion

A group of Sikh MPs has said the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak was "not about" their religion.

Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December by Vickrum Digwa, who falsely claimed he had been racially abused and had acted in self-defence.

Digwa, who has been jailed for life, used a blade he claimed he was carrying for religious reasons linked to his Sikh faith.

In a statement , the 11 Sikh MPs said the murder was "not about Sikhism", adding it was about "a man carrying an offensive weapon and committing a brutal murder".

Under UK law, it is illegal to carry most knives in public without a good reason.

But the law does provide exemptions for religious reasons as potential lawful defences under Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

The judge who sentenced Digwa said he was carrying a knife in a sheath, as well as a second, larger dagger linked to his tradition as a member of the Nihang order of Sikhs.

The Sikh Federation said the blade used by Digwa was not a religious knife, known as a kirpan.