Starmer says Farage’s call for ‘rage’ after Henry Nowak death is ‘unforgivable’
Sir Keir Starmer said Nigel Farage’s “appeal for rage” in response to the death of Henry Nowak was “unforgivable” as the Prime Minister and Reform UK leader clashed in the Commons.
There was unrest in Southampton last night amid an outcry about the policing response to the murder that took place in December 2025.
The student’s killer, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, told police attending the scene of the stabbing that he had been the victim of a racist attack, while Mr Nowak was handcuffed by police as he lay dying.
Speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir highlighted the words of Mr Nowak’s father, who said: “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred, or tension.”
Sir Keir said: “They’re the words of a grieving father who’s lost his son.
“I think those words have resonated with people across the country. We must not allow this tragedy to be hijacked by anyone who seeks to divide us.”
Mr Farage argued that the UK has “two-tier policing” and that officers are told to treat different ethnic groups differently.
He said: “Following the horrendous circumstances of Henry Nowak’s death, can I urge the Prime Minister to consider this: it is now clear to growing millions in this country that we are living under two-tier policing.
“The instructions that are given to police officers from police bosses are clear and written down in ink. It says you must treat different ethnic groups in different ways.
“Apart from the upset and the anger at the circumstances of his death, the anger that you saw spilling out in Southampton last night, which is in danger of getting considerably worse…
“If the public lose trust in being treated fairly by the police, can he (Sir Keir) take some action, end this divisive practice of two-tier policing, and make sure that all British citizens are treated the same?”
Responding, Sir Keir said: “I don’t believe there’s two-tier policing in this country. I’m really shocked that he pretends to have respect for Henry’s family and then acts in this way.
“The grieving family have asked us not to respond in the way that the leader of Reform has responded. They’ve asked us not to. They have lost their son in the most appalling circumstance. They make a simple plea of us as human beings to please not exploit that. That is their plea to us.
“We all need to reflect on those words of Henry’s father. My response, and the response of others to be fair, has been focused on the lessons to be learned, so we can deliver justice.
“His (Mr Farage’s) response has been to appeal for rage, rage. That’s his response to a father who has lost his son and asked for that not to happen.
“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. It shows exactly who he is.”
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) announced it would review anti-racism guidance – which advises police to treat ethnic minorities differently to get them better outcomes – that some have blamed for the actions of the officers who arrested Mr Nowak.
In body-worn camera footage from the incident, a handcuffed Mr Nowak can be heard repeatedly saying: “I’ve been stabbed”, to which an officer replies: “Don’t think you have, mate.”
Sir Keir said he “felt sick” when he watched the bodycam footage and said that “serious questions need to be addressed, not least this question about how accusations of racism informed decision-making”.
He told MPs: “I have watched the bodycam footage, as others would have done. I found it really hard. It was harrowing.
“And, as a dad of a 17-year-old boy, I felt sick. I can only imagine how devastated his family are. It is extremely moving.
“Henry’s life has been stolen. His family have responded with incredible and immense dignity and bravery.
“Now, there clearly are lessons that need to be learned, serious questions that need to be addressed, not least this question about how accusations of racism informed decision-making in such cases.”
Digwa has been given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years in prison for stabbing Mr Nowak with a ceremonial knife with a 21cm blade prosecutors said was a kirpan, which he carried as part of his Sikh religion.
Published: by Radio NewsHub