UK PM Starmer accuses Farage of exploiting murder case as violent protests erupt in Southampton

Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of exploiting the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak to create “grievance and division,” as violent protests in Southampton left 11 police officers and one police dog injured.

Clashes erupted on Tuesday evening when hundreds of demonstrators pelted officers with chairs, rocks, and flares near the home of Nowak’s killer, Vickrum Digwa, in the Portswood area. Two people were arrested in connection with the protests, police reported. Chief Constable Alexis Boon said he expected the number of arrests to rise as investigations continue.

Nowak, a finance student from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was stabbed to death in Southampton in December 2025 as he walked back to his student accommodation after a night out with friends. Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years on Monday for the murder. He falsely told police he was the victim of a racist attack, leading officers to arrest Nowak instead of his killer.

Bodycam footage released this week shows officers handcuffing Nowak as he says “I can’t breathe” and “I’ve been stabbed.” An officer is heard replying “Don’t think you have, mate.” The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the police response. One officer involved in the arrest has resigned; three others are being treated as witnesses.

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Farage repeated his claim that the case showed “two-tier policing” and argued that anti-racism guidelines had led forces to treat “different ethnic groups in different ways.” He said the British public should respond with “pure, cold rage” and warned that violent protests could get worse if the public loses trust in being treated fairly by officers.

Starmer rejected the accusation of two-tier policing and told Parliament: “Exploiting this tragedy to create grievance and division would be wrong in any circumstances. But to do it when the family are expressly saying please don’t is unforgivable.” He added: “A grieving family have asked us not to respond in the way that the leader of Reform has responded. My response has focused on the lessons to be learned. His response has been to appeal for rage.”

Nowak’s father Mark said outside court on Monday: “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We want his story to make our streets safer for everyone.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called the protests “completely unacceptable,” saying there could be “no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder.”

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said it will review its Police Anti-Racism Commitment document, which includes a line stating that producing “equality of policing outcomes” does not mean treating everyone “the same” or being “colour blind.” Police Minister Sarah Jones said the document “gives the wrong impression” but described it as a “values document” that does not form the basis of any training or police activity.

The protests followed the release of bodycam footage that prompted widespread anger. In the footage, Nowak, in handcuffs, repeatedly tells officers he has been stabbed. Judge William Mousley KC said in his sentencing remarks that no matter how quickly Nowak had received first aid or medical treatment, he would not have survived because of the nature of his injuries.