British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned violent protests over the case of an 18-year-old student who was handcuffed as he lay dying after his killer falsely alleged a racist attack. Starmer said it was "unforgivable" to exploit the tragedy to stir tensions.
Background of the Case
The murder of student Henry Nowak last year has dominated UK headlines since his Sikh killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday. Footage of officers ignoring the pleas of a dying, innocent man has sparked a political storm about how police treat different ethnicities.
In the attack last December, Digwa lied to police, claiming Nowak had racially abused and assaulted him during a brief altercation. Police bodycam footage shows Nowak lying on the ground saying, "I've been stabbed" and "I can't breathe" as he is handcuffed, while an officer responds, "I don't think you have, mate." Court pathologists found that Nowak would have died of his injuries at the scene regardless of the emergency response. Officers later called an ambulance and performed CPR.
Starmer's Response to Protests
"There is no justification for more violence and disorder," Starmer said on Wednesday after protesters clashed with police, injuring 11 officers in Southampton, near where Nowak was killed. "This is a time for serious work, not rage," he added, in a direct rebuke to Reform Party leader Nigel Farage.
Farage had called for people to respond with "pure cold rage" and warned that anger could spread if faith in police is lost. Starmer urged reflection on the words of Nowak's father, who said his son's death should not be used to create further division, hatred, or tension.
Police Ethnicity Guidelines Under Review
In recent years, Farage and others, including Elon Musk, have argued that diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in policing have created a two-tiered system. British police chiefs are now reviewing guidelines drawn up in response to past racism incidents, which advised treating ethnicities differently.
Starmer said there were "serious questions to answer" about how racism accusations influenced police thinking. An independent investigation into police conduct is underway. Hampshire Police has apologized for its handling of Nowak's death. One officer resigned last year, and three others are being treated as witnesses.
Farage drew parallels with the 2020 killing of George Floyd in the US, contrasting what he called a muted response to Nowak's death with the Black Lives Matter movement. Floyd had also said "I can't breathe" as a police officer knelt on his neck.
