British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared Wednesday that there is “no justification” for violence after protesters clashed with police during a demonstration against the handling of a student’s murder. The incident has become highly politicized in the United Kingdom.
Background of the Case
The protest erupted over the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, a white student who was stabbed to death by Vickrum Digwa, a Sikh man, in Southampton last December. Police bodycam footage showed Nowak handcuffed and repeatedly telling officers he could not breathe as he lay mortally wounded. Digwa, 23, initially claimed he was the victim, alleging racial abuse from Nowak. He was sentenced to at least 21 years in prison on Monday for the murder, using a ceremonial knife with a 21-centimeter blade.
Starmer’s Response
Starmer condemned calls by hard-right figure Nigel Farage for “pure cold rage,” branding them “unforgivable.” He told lawmakers, “No matter the pain we feel, there is no justification for more violence and disorder. This is a time for serious work, not rage. We will ensure anyone found engaging in disorder meets the full force of the law.”
The Protest and Violence
On Tuesday evening, around 100 protesters led by far-right figures turned violent in Southampton, pulling apart garden fences, throwing bricks, flares, and chairs, and rolling a flaming bin at police. Eleven officers were injured. Police responded with spray and riot shields. Two people were arrested. Nowak’s father had pleaded that his son’s murder not be used “to create further division, hatred or tension.”
Allegations of Two-Tier Policing
Farage and far-right activist Tommy Robinson claim Nowak’s death exemplifies “two-tier policing,” where ethnic minorities are treated more leniently. Starmer’s Labour government denies this. However, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) announced it will review its Race Action Plan, which advises treating suspects differently based on ethnicity. NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said, “We are listening to legitimate concerns… where needed we can and will make changes.” The guidance, published last year, stated that racial equality “does not mean treating everyone ‘the same’ or being ‘colour blind’.” It was designed to address disparities, as black people are more than twice as likely to be arrested than white people in Britain.
Investigation and Political Fallout
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the police handling of the case, with a report expected within three months. Three officers involved remain on duty; one resigned for unrelated reasons. Starmer, a former chief prosecutor, called the bodycam footage “harrowing” and said there are “serious questions” to answer. In parliament, he accused Farage, whose Reform UK party leads opinion polls, of “exploiting this tragedy to create grievance and division.” American tech tycoon Elon Musk has offered to fund a private prosecution against the police over the incident.
Protest Attendance
More than 1,000 people, many waving Union Jack and England flags, attended Tuesday’s protest. Robinson told the rally that white British people are treated as “second-rate citizens” by police.
