Starmer says questions need to be asked over Nowak case but rejects ‘two-tier policing’ claim

Ch Insp Andy George, president of the National Black Police Association, warns that false claims of anti-white bias in policing could regress the service to the 1960s. This statement comes amid concerns that politicians like Nigel Farage are exploiting the murder of Henry Nowak to stoke tensions. Senior police figures are pushing back against these accusations, with former chief inspector Sir Andy Cooke stating he found no evidence of anti-white bias. Nowak's father has condemned the police's "inhumane and degrading" treatment of his son but urged against using his death to create division. Hampshire's chief constable has apologized for the way Nowak was arrested and handcuffed after being stabbed, an incident being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Following the murder conviction of Vickrum Digwa for the killing of Henry Nowak, far-right groups in the UK have exploited the case, leading to tensions and abuse against Sikhs. Protesters, including prominent far-right figures, gathered in Southampton, with some performing Nazi salutes and shouting "white power." Nowak's father has emphasized that the murder is not about religion or racism but a case of individual violence, warning against exploiting his family's tragedy. Sikh groups have condemned the murder but are now facing increased fear and hate crimes, with reports of verbal abuse and assault. Far-right politicians have been criticized for drawing attention to Digwa's religion, fueling misconceptions. The article also highlights police failures in responding to Nowak's pleas for help after he was stabbed.

Protests erupted in Southampton after video emerged of police handcuffing 18-year-old Henry Nowak as he lay mortally wounded. Nowak was stabbed by a Sikh man and falsely accused of racially abusing his attacker. In bodycam footage from December, Nowak repeatedly told officers he couldn't breathe. Far-right figures, including Tommy Robinson, have used the case to claim police discriminate against white Britons, speaking at a rally in the city. Protesters threw bricks at police during the demonstrations.

The US State Department has criticized "two-tiered policing" in the UK in a message of condolence to the family of murdered student Henry Nowak. The 18-year-old's death has been cited by some, including Elon Musk and Nigel Farage, as evidence of ideological bias in policing. Nowak was handcuffed by officers as he lay dying after being stabbed, following a false accusation by his killer. The US State Department stated that "ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing are glaring symptoms of civilisational decline." UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy welcomed the condolences but rejected the notion of a two-tier criminal justice system in Britain. The Independent Office of Police Conduct is investigating the officers' actions.

A new far-right party, Restore Britain, has emerged and is potentially challenging Nigel Farage's Reform UK for the anti-immigration vote. Restore, launched by former Reform member Rupert Lowe, has pledged an "ambitious programme of mass deportations" and has attracted over 96,000 members and 13 councillors, many of whom defected from Reform. This splintering of the far-right vote is seen by some as Reform UK becoming too "mainstream" for extremist elements, creating a gap that Restore aims to fill. The article highlights this dynamic in the context of an upcoming by-election in Makerfield, where Restore's candidate is polling at 7%, potentially impacting Reform UK's chances.

Following the murder of Henry Nowak by Vickrum Digwa, a Sikh man, far-right figures like Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson are attempting to exploit the case to incite racist resentment against minority ethnic Britons. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned Farage's calls for "cold rage," emphasizing that Nowak's family explicitly requested the case not be used to target communities. The incident, which occurred in Southampton in December 2025, has also drawn attention to the police's handling of Nowak's final moments, with body-camera footage showing him handcuffed despite being stabbed. Far-right commentators and activists have used this to argue for "two-tier" policing. Sikh groups have reported facing increased abuse and hate crimes since the murder.

Violent, racially charged protests erupted in Southampton following the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak by Vickrum Digwa. Digwa, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, falsely claimed to be a victim of a racist attack, leading police to initially handcuff Nowak as he lay dying. British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the protests as "completely unacceptable," accusing demonstrators of hijacking the tragedy to incite violence against the police. The demonstrations were fueled by right-wing claims of a "two-tier" policing system that disadvantages white people. During the protests, police officers and a police dog were injured, and two arrests were made.

Two men have been charged in connection with disorder that occurred in Southampton following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. Matt Styler faces a charge of assaulting a police officer, while Daniel Frost is charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. The disturbance, which resulted in eleven police officers being injured, took place near the killer's home. The Crown Prosecution Service stated that charges were brought after an investigation into alleged offending during protests held on Tuesday evening. Separately, the Independent Office for Police Conduct has requested that speculation about Nowak's death cease, as it is the subject of an ongoing investigation to establish the full circumstances and any potential officer misconduct. Nowak's father has condemned the police treatment of his son but urged against using his death to create further division.

Britain's Sikh community is defending their right to carry the ceremonial kirpan after the murder of an 18-year-old student, Henry Nowak, by Vickrum Singh Digwa, who received a life sentence. The case has reignited a debate on race, religion, and identity in the UK. Following the murder in Southampton in December 2025, some figures, including far-right leaders and Elon Musk, have called for a ban on the public wearing of the kirpan, alleging biased policing. Police body camera footage from the incident shows Nowak struggling to breathe while being handcuffed, and Digwa claiming he was a victim of a racial attack and that Nowak had removed his turban.

Northern Territory police will charge individuals for unrest in Alice Springs following the arrest of Jefferson Lewis in connection with the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby. A crowd of approximately 400 gathered outside Alice Springs hospital on Friday after news spread that Lewis, who had been arrested by police, was inside. Lewis was found unconscious after reportedly being subjected to vigilante justice in a town camp, and police officers responding to the scene were also assaulted. The grandfather of Kumanjayi Little Baby, a senior Warlpiri elder, appealed for calm, stating the violence was not "our way." The town is in mourning over the child's death, whose body was discovered on Thursday.

Jefferson Lewis, a 47-year-old man, was arrested in Alice Springs in connection with the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby. Following his arrest, a crowd gathered outside the hospital where Lewis was being treated, leading to clashes with police. During the unrest, police vehicles and bins were set alight, and objects were thrown at officers, who responded with tear gas. Lewis has since been transported to Darwin for safety reasons. Northern Territory police commissioner Martin Dole stated that charges are anticipated soon and urged the community to allow the police to conduct their investigation. The unrest has reportedly been quelled.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley has stated that Green Party leader Zack Polanski's sharing of a post criticizing the arrest of a terror suspect in Golders Green will have a "chilling effect." The incident involved the stabbing of two Jewish individuals, after which a 45-year-old man was arrested and subdued with a stun gun. Polanski retweeted a post alleging officers repeatedly kicked the incapacitated suspect. Rowley defended the officers' actions, emphasizing the danger posed by the suspect and the need to protect London's Jewish community, which has faced targeted attacks. He called for political leaders to show solidarity, condemn antisemitism, and support officers protecting the public. A Green Party source indicated Polanski, while acknowledging the difficult situation, seeks further understanding of the police response.