UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused US tech billionaire Elon Musk of 'trying to whip up division' in Britain following the murder of a white student by a Sikh man, which has sparked far-right protests and a political firestorm over police handling of the case.
Background of the Case
The case involves 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was stabbed to death by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa in Southampton in December. Digwa, who lied to police claiming he was the victim and that Nowak had racially insulted him, was jailed for at least 21 years on Monday. The murder has become highly politicised, with far-right figures alleging that police treat white people and ethnic minorities differently, an accusation the Labour government and police chiefs strongly deny.
Starmer's Response
Starmer met with Nowak's family at Downing Street on Thursday and afterwards urged the nation to 'choose unity and progress over division and hatred', calling this 'the only way to honour Henry's memory'. He condemned Musk's social media posts, in which the X owner falsely questioned whether 'official police policy requires them to be racist against Whites'. Starmer stated, 'We need to also assert who we are as a country, because Musk, again, has been interfering in our politics in the last few days, trying to whip up division.'
Musk's Involvement
Musk, who has a history of criticising Starmer, has posted numerous times about the police response and offered to fund a private prosecution against Hampshire Police. He also insulted the force. Nowak's father has pleaded that his son's murder should not be used 'to create further division, hatred or tension'.
Protests and Violence
On Tuesday night, a protest in Southampton attended by far-right agitators saw demonstrators throw bricks, flares, and chairs at police officers. Starmer said there was 'no justification' for the violence. A 44-year-old man pleaded guilty to violent disorder and carrying an offensive weapon, and another person was charged with assault.
Political Reactions
Starmer described as 'unforgivable' comments by hard-right firebrand Nigel Farage, whose Reform UK party leads in polls, calling for 'pure cold rage' in response to the murder. Farage defended his remarks, saying he never advocated violence. The US State Department also commented, offering condolences and stating that 'ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing are glaring symptoms of civilisational decline'.
Police Conduct Under Scrutiny
Bodycam footage of Nowak's death, in which he repeatedly tells officers he cannot breathe, has been called 'harrowing' by Starmer. He acknowledged 'difficult questions that need to be answered about the way the police handled Henry's murder'. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating, and an inquest into whether police contributed to his death will open in September 2027.
Broader Context
Government statistics show Black people in England and Wales are more than twice as likely to be arrested as white people. An independent report last year found London's Metropolitan Police 'institutionally racist'. Musk previously clashed with Starmer over a 'grooming gangs' scandal, with Starmer accusing him of 'spreading lies and misinformation'.
