Starmer to meet Henry Nowak’s family in Downing Street this afternoon
8 reported2 unconfirmed
According to a single-source report from The Guardian, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to hold a private meeting with the family of Henry Nowak in Downing Street this afternoon, as confirmed by No 10. Separately, Starmer addressed mayors from England at a meeting of the mayoral council in York, urging them to push forward with growth plans. The New Statesman published an interview with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, in which he dismissed claims that he is too concerned with being liked to take tough decisions as prime minister. Burnham also suggested that a Reform UK general election victory could lead to an “irreversible” change in UK politics and said he had “an open mind” on allowing more oil and gas drilling from the North Sea. At the Downing Street lobby briefing, No 10 refused to comment on reports that the long-awaited defence investment plan will be published next Thursday, and declined to address claims that it may not reach the £18bn target. The Electoral Commission released full political donation figures for the first quarter of 2026, showing Reform UK attracted £9.3m in donations while the Conservatives received £4.2m. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch posted on social media that she met Henry Nowak’s father, mother, and stepmother this morning, stating they agreed on the “need to bring common sense back.”
What’s reported
Keir Starmer will hold a private meeting with Henry Nowak’s family in Downing Street this afternoon, No 10 said.
Starmer addressed mayors from England at a meeting of the mayoral council in York, urging them to push on with growth plans.
Andy Burnham dismissed claims he is too worried about being liked to take tough decisions as PM, citing his work on Hillsborough, infected blood, and raising taxes in Manchester.
Burnham said a Reform UK general election victory could lead to an “irreversible” change in UK politics.
Burnham said he had “an open mind” on whether Labour should allow more oil and gas drilling from the North Sea.
No 10 refused to comment on reports that the defence investment plan will be published next Thursday or on claims it may not reach the £18bn target.
Reform UK attracted £9.3m in donations in the first quarter of 2026; the Conservatives received £4.2m.
Kemi Badenoch said she met Henry Nowak’s father, mother, and stepmother this morning and they agreed on the “need to bring common sense back.”
Open questions
The specific details of the defence investment plan, including its publication date and total value.
The exact nature of the “common sense” approach agreed upon by Badenoch and the Nowak family.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader
Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative chair
Henry Nowak (deceased), subject of family meetings
Joshi Herrmann, founder and editor of the Mill
Ailbhe Rea, political editor of the New Statesman
Larisa Brown and Steven Swinford, reporters for the Times
Sources: The Guardian
