Henry Nowak Murder: Andrew Pope's Open Letter To Leader of the Council

Andrew Pope has written to the Leader of Southampton City Council, Labour Councillor Sarah Bogle, with an open letter following the conviction and sentencing of Vickrum Digwa, murderer of Henry Nowak.

 

Andrew Pope

It is copied below. It has also been sent as a letter to the Daily Echo, and as a media release.

You can contact us at the details at the link here.

"Dear Councillor Bogle,

I write to congratulate you on your elevation as Leader of Southampton City Council. With power comes responsibility to represent all of Southampton, particularly in times of crises.

In your recent Leader's Corner, you ask for suggestions as to how to attain unity in the light of Vickrum Digwa's murder of Henry Nowak in Portswood near the Unversity that I attended. Digwa has received his punishment under our justice system - life imprisonment with 21 years minimum. Digwa should not be seen as representative of Sikhs.

We should not respond with "rage" at Henry's treatment. We should channel any anger into constructive action to protect our City and its reputation, and to retrain the Police and if necessary, punish those who made mistakes.

I was welcomed into the Sikh community when our friend and colleague Del Singh was murdered in Afghanistan in 2014. We paid our respects at his funeral at the Crematorium and at the Gurdwara. I remember Del frequently, He was killed by religious extremists, trying to promote peace and reconciliation.

Henry Nowak was killed by a religious extremist. Somebody who warped the beliefs of Sikhism, just as the Taliban warp the beliefs of Muslims.

Any reaction to his murder that is also extreme tarnishes the needless death of a young student in our City, and is not constructive. Nowak's family have indeed asked for Henry's death to not incite racism, division or to be about Sikhs. The family want constructive action, not violence.

Overnight, we have had national news report on violence in our City. Violence incited by He-who-shall-not-be-named in an irresponsible call for "pure cold rage". Thugs have been incited by the Leader of the Reform UK party, just as their party's idol Donald Trump incited needless violence in the USA and commits needless violence in Iran that affects us all, with Trumpflation at the petrol stations and in the supermarkets.

Therefore, I urge you to put out a Statement to this effect, a joint statement agreed with all political groups at Southampton City Council - Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Reform.

Such a statement should back the Police and Crime Commissioner's call for an independent investigation into the Nowak incident. I have disagreed with Donna Jones on many things, including on the performance of the Police where I have had to quote her own office's figures back at her. But on this, I agree with her that it should be urgent. There is a very low level of trust in the IOPC's independence, so their investigation cannot be the only one.

Such a statement would be how to show unity and that you can look beyond your parties and in the interests of Southampton and its people.

Being an independent, and part of the Independent Network, we do not have party policies or a whip.

Being independent gives us the ability to see things more clearly and more objectively, free from party loyalties.

I offer you my advice as an independent, and hope that you will take it.

Regards,

Andrew Pope

Independent Network

Southampton Independents"

Councillor Sarah Bogle has replied to say:

"A statement is going out shortly.

Thanks for your concern."

 

We await the statement.

 

 

THANK YOU! ANDREW POPE INDEPENDENT BEATS THE BIG POLITICAL PARTIES AGAIN - JUST LIKE WE DID IN 2016 AND 2018

Andrew Pope Beats Political Parties YET AGAIN
Photo: Southampton Independents (AP)

 

Redbridge ward 2026 Result, Southampton City Council
Graph: Southampton Independents (AP)

 

Andrew Pope Independent candidate for Redbridge says:

 

"Dear Residents of Redbridge, Maybush and Millbrook,

ONCE AGAIN, IN REDBRIDGE WARD WE BEAT THE BIG POLITICAL PARTIES LIKE WE DID IN 2016 AND 2018! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

I was 3rd out of 7 candidates. By working together with you helping me to help you, we beat the Tories, Lib Dems and Greens. And in some areas, Labour too. 

Thank you for your support – whether you put up an election board or an election poster, or if you voted for me, or if you encouraged others to vote for me. THANKS!

Together, we’ve shown in 2026, like we did in 2016 and 2018, that an Independent can beat the big political parties. It took a lot of hard work, but we did it.

This is what the Independent Network is about – not party politics, not imposed policies from Westminster – the Indie Network is about principles, the Martin Bell principles – listening to local people and acting with local people to win together.

This was a Council election. The Council has no power over national issues. But I lost to national party Reform in a local Council election. I don’t know why. 

In Redbridge ward, you now have a Reform councillor. And two Labour councillors.

If you voted for the big political parties at Westminster, including Reform, I would like to understand why you did. Please get in touch and I will listen carefully to you.

I will be holding Reform and Labour to account. For example, the Reform Councillor John Edwards has already linked arming all Police with immigration. Southampton Labour councillors are incompetent and corrupt. They and Labour MP Satvir Kaur took £10k from a convicted criminal, with no evidence of paying it back. I’ve asked.

Get in touch if you want to help your area, your family and your friends."

Andrew Pope, Independent Network, Co-Founder Southampton Independents 

Labour's Corruption in Southampton and Westminster - Andrew Pope's Statement

 

Redbridge ward anti-corruption candidate Andrew Pope, who is a member of the Independent Network and is Co-Founder of Southampton Independents, issues a Statement today on yesterday's vote at Parliament on referring Keir Starmer to the Privileges Committee: 

 

Andrew Pope when Independent Councillor 
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

"Yesterday, Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer forced his MPs to defend his corruption when appointing Jeffrey Epstein's friend Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States of America.

Labour forced a 'three-line whip' onto its MPs, which means that if you defy the instruction, there will be consequences which could include expulsion. 

And like the party puppets they are, the two Southampton MPs Satvir Kaur and Darren Paffey went along with it. 

Both Kaur and Paffey voted against a Parliamentary inquiry by the Privileges Committee into Starmer. You can see the evidence from the BBC website below. 

 

Satvir Kaur MP Southampton Test MP Voted Against Investigating Her Boss Keir Starmer
Image: BBC

Darren Paffey Southampton Itchen MP Voted Against Investigating His Boss Keir Starmer
Image: BBC

 

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT STARMER IS GUILTY OF CORRUPTION AND OF POOR JUDGEMENT, AND THAT HE IS VERY UNPOPULAR AND SHOULD RESIGN OR BE FORCED OUT BY LABOUR! 

Yet the Southampton Labour MPs still defend him. Why? Is it because their political careers depend on it? Yes it is. They put themselves and their careers ahead of principles.

While we focus on local action, as independents, we have to call this out as Southampton MPs being corrupt. They are now complicit in corruption at Westminster, as Satvir Kaur and Southampton Labour have been complicit in corruption here in Southampton by taking £10,000 from a convicted criminal who had been expelled from Labour two years before. And not providing any evidence they paid it back, although we asked them.

And we have to call this out because as independents, Southampton Independents as members of the Independent Network subscribe to the Martin Bell principles.

Martin Bell was a BBC journalist who was elected as an Independent MP when he stood for Parliament as an anti-corruption candidate, and beat the corrupt Tory Neil Hamilton who was found guilty of cash-for-questions in Parliament.

 

Independent Network Emblem

 

 

The Independent Network works under the same Bell principles, so we are best placed to call out Labour's corruption.

I am standing as the anti-corruption candidate in Redbridge ward on Southampton City Council.

I have already uncovered corruption by Labour here in Southampton, and will continue to do so.

If elected, I will have more powers to uncover corruption and hold Labour to account."

 

 

Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network for Redbridge Ward 7th May 2026

   

Andrew Pope at Mansel Park and Millbrook Towers
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

Note: This article is also a page, as well as a post.

Former Redbridge Independent Councillor Andrew Pope has announced that he is standing in the 7th May 2026 local election.

Andrew says:

"It's so good to be back where I belong. I know the area very well and the people so well. And they know me. They are encouraging me to stand in Redbridge, because they've had enough of Labour and do not want Reform. So I'm doing this!

It was an absolute pleasure chatting with people and delivering my letters while I did my March the Month with Prostate Cancer UK in the area. I walked 341,000 steps, or 175 miles, over the month and have raised over £300 for the charity.

 

Andrew Pope at Five Acres Recreation Ground
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

  

People say that they've had enough of Labour and the Tories. I coined the phrase Labour or Tory, same old story. Now people say it back to me on the doorstep and in the streets.

They supported us independents before in their hundreds - almost a thousand votes last time we stood. 

 

We doubled our vote last time to 982 votes
Image: Southampton Independents (AP)

  

And as our team at the count knows, I did very well in Redbridge ward when I stood in the General Election and beat the other independent from Coxford.

This time we need to win and to get over the line. Together, we can do it!

With council tax being put up and up, residents do not feel that things have improved under Labour for the last 14 years and they definitely don't feel they get value for money from the Labour-run Council.

Constant bin chaos, dangerous roads and perilous pavements, financial mismanagement of public funds and three Labour MPs on the South Coast taking £30,000 from a convicted criminal, including Southampton's Satvir Kaur MP. The Labour Government has failed like the Tories before.

 

Labour have failed!
Image: Southampton Independents (AP)

 

And Labour has just sacked its own Redbridge councillor, Lee Whitbread, who was due to stand in May. I tried to warn Labour about him but they preferred to cover up than investigate him.

I am standing as the anti-corruption candidate and subscribe to the Martin Bell Principles from the Independent Network.

Enough is enough. Just one seat needs to change for a positive future.

The last time we stood, we nearly beat Labour and got more votes than all the other parties put together - Tories, UKIP / Reform, Lib Dems and Greens. 

I am the only candidate that can beat Labour. This time you can help me to get over the line and represent you again.

Please Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network on 7th May." 

  

Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network
Putting You First
Image: Southampton Independents (AP)

Andrew Pope Won His Safe Standing Campaign for St Marys Stadium -
A Campaign Launched at MP3 Centre, Millbrook
Photo: Southampton Independents (AP)

Andrew Pope Safe Standing Launch at MP3 Millbrook
Photo: Southampton Independents (DW)

Andrew Pope at the MP3 Centre, Millbrook
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network on 26th Feb! say Shirley residents... and Andrew responds to them

 

Andrew Pope and the Independent Network emblem

Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network on 26th Feb! 

EIGHT YEARS COUNCILLOR EXPERIENCE & CARE - I HOLD THE COUNCIL TO ACCOUNT FOR YOU 

Please do not waste your vote on the big political parties. 

I am the ONLY candidate at this by-election that has two full four-year terms of experience as a Southampton City Councillor. I have more experience than all the others put together. 

Why? Because all six other candidates have zero experience as a councillor. I checked each one via web search, so that you don't need to. 

I am local. I care. I listen. I act. Elect me to hold the Council to account, regardless of who it is.

Residents told me they wanted me to stand again next time. I promised to. So I am. Residents say:

“Andrew is genuine, knowledgeable, persistent and experienced. He knows what he is talking about and is very articulate.” (Resident Chris who lives in the Coxford part of the Shirley ward).

“Andrew is honest, listened to the problem we had and got it done. He is one of the few councillors who care.” (Resident Barry who lives in the Shirley part of the Shirley ward).

“Andrew is very straight-forward and outspoken in his views. In my opinion, he is exactly what we need in Shirley.” (Resident Bogdan who lives in the Old Shirley part of the Shirley ward).

Residents support me because I listen, lead and act. I’ve helped thousands of Southampton people over decades of hard work here in Southampton. We co-founded Southampton Independents. Why? Because we care about our City and its people.

I've got the big stuff done and got the little stuff done. Just a few examples are below, but you can see more on this website:

1. I led and won a 12-year campaign for a Southampton Park and Ride for hospital staff then another for public and football fans to use. I led a Council inquiry into hospital transport.
2. I ran a petition on the derelict pub plans and spoke up for residents at Council Planning. 
3. I called in the Echo for the Labour Councillor for Transport to be sacked. He was sacked.
4. I successfully pressured the Council to remove silly 20mph signs, including on Hill Lane.

Andrew campaigning on the derelict pub and Park and Ride
Photo: Southampton Independents

Southampton Park and Ride Delivered by Andrew Pope
Photo: Southampton Independents

Sign my petition to demand sprinklers are installed at the SGH. It's on this website, and on Change.org. And you can sign it in person if you get in touch - many people do not use the web and find signing in person is better for them. Mycampaign is building with my dedication and with residents' support.

 

Southampton General Hospital Scene of Major Incident Fire
Photo: Southampton Independents

What issues matter to you? If you want independent representation, you have to vote for it. 

I am part of the Independent Network of councillors and campaigners. We work together with residents. Independents have won here in Southampton, on the Isle of Wight, and across England. I was an Independent councillor for Redbridge and there were three Independents in Coxford too.

Get in touch to tell me what matters. I listen to you. I act. I fight back against the big political parties and keep them honest. I hold them to account. I lead by example and inspire others to act.

Thank you for reading this. Please tell others to vote for me and support the Independent Network in future. 

I live and work locally, running my own business of technical and campaigning consultancy, PopeyMon Consulting. I have a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from Leeds and a Masters degree in Politics from Southampton. 

If you want a local and very experienced and caring councillor, then please vote for me on 26th February. Vote for 8 years of Southampton councillor experience and care.

Vote Andrew Pope, Independent Network on 26th February – Residents say: Local, caring, genuine, experienced and outspoken. Listening, leading and acting for you.

 

Andrew Pope Finding Fire Safety Breaches at Shirley Towers
Photo: Southampton Independents

Independent Network Emblem

VOTE ANDREW DOUGLAS POPE, INDEPENDENT NETWORK CANDIDATE FOR THE SHIRLEY 2026 BY-ELECTION

 

Andrew Douglas Pope of the Independent Network and Southampton Independents

Emblem of the Independent Network

Andrew Douglas Pope is announcing his candidacy for the Shirley ward by-election on 26th February 2026, standing for the Independent Network. 

More information about Andrew Douglas Pope's campaigning, activism and organising work over the last three decades, is on this Southampton Independents website page here. 

Andrew, who was the co-founder of Southampton Independents, says:  

"Dear Residents of Shirley ward of Southampton City Council,

ANOTHER BY-ELECTION CAUSED BY ANOTHER BIG POLITICAL PARTY LETTING YOU DOWN

In 2024, residents had enough of political parties and encouraged me to stand as an Independent candidate. So I did! I listened. I acted. Labour or Tory, same old story, I said. Now add the Lib Dems. Their councillor was elected in 2024 but only lasted 15 months. He quit, causing this by-election.

Residents told me they wanted me to stand again next time. I promised to. So I am. Residents say:

“Andrew is genuine, knowledgeable, persistent and experienced. He knows what he is talking about and is very articulate.” (Resident Chris who lives in the Coxford part of the Shirley ward).

“Andrew is very enthusiastic and believes in what he is doing. I will be voting for him.” (Resident Derek who lives in the Maybush part of the Shirley ward).

“Andrew is very straight-forward and outspoken in his views. In my opinion, he is exactly what we need in Shirley.” (Resident Bogdan who lives in the Old Shirley part of the Shirley ward).

Residents support me because I listen, lead, and act. People wanted action on hospital traffic and parking. 

1. I led and won a 12-year campaign for a Southampton Park and Ride for hospital staff and another for the public and football fans too. Now I am pressuring the Council to get it right.
2. I led a Council inquiry into transport to the hospital and have held the hospital to its promises.
3. I ran a petition on the derelict pub and spoke for you at the Council Planning meeting.
4. I fought back against the Labour Council's stupid car restrictions, the Portswood Bus Gate and over-the-top 20mph limits. 
5. I called in the Echo for the Labour Cabinet Member for Transport to be sacked, and he was. 

Some of the 20mph limits were scrapped, including on Hill Lane. There’s more to do.

What issues matter to you? If you want independent representation, you have to vote for it. 

I am part of the Independent Network of councillors and campaigners. We work together with residents. Independents have won here in Southampton, on the Isle of Wight, and across England. I was a passionate Independent councillor for Redbridge and there were three in Coxford too.

Get in touch to tell me what matters. Listening carefully is vital. That is the start of taking the correct actions with experience and competence. More residents are joining my team and fighting back against the big political parties. I lead by example and inspire others to act. I’ve proved it.

Thank you for reading this letter. Please make sure other people in your household see it. Get in touch at the details below. Put this letter in your window to show your support.

Please vote for me on 26th February. Vote for independent representation and action."

Andrew Pope, Member of the Independent Network, Co-Founder of Southampton Independents