Commons Clash Over “Two-Tier Policing” Claims
Starmer accused Farage of exploiting Henry Nowak’s murder to fuel division as debate over policing intensified.
Sir Keir Starmer has accused Nigel Farage of using the murder of teenager Henry Nowak to fuel division and public anger, following a heated exchange in the House of Commons over the case.
The dispute centers on the police response to Nowak’s fatal stabbing in Southampton in December 2024. After being stabbed, the 18-year-old was initially arrested by officers because his attacker, Vickrum Digwa, falsely claimed he had been the victim of a racist attack. Bodycam footage later released showed Nowak repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed while lying in handcuffs.
Digwa, 23, was sentenced on Monday to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder.
Farage, leader of Reform UK, has argued that the case demonstrates what he calls “two-tier policing,” claiming anti-racism policies have led police to treat different ethnic groups differently. In a video released after the sentencing, he said the public should respond to the case with “pure, cold rage” and called for an end to what he described as “anti-white prejudice.”
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Farage repeated his criticism of police guidance and warned that public trust in law enforcement could continue to decline if people believe they are not treated fairly.
Starmer strongly rejected those claims. He said he was shocked by Farage’s response and accused him of ignoring the wishes of Nowak’s family, who had asked that the tragedy not be used to create division.
The prime minister told MPs that politicians should focus on learning lessons from the case and ensuring justice is delivered, rather than encouraging anger. He said exploiting the family’s loss to generate “grievance and division” was especially unacceptable given their explicit request for restraint.
Other party leaders also criticized Farage’s comments. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was disappointed by his intervention and argued that the case should serve as a reminder that every life matters. She urged politicians to unite communities rather than deepen divisions.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for police forces to act on any recommendations resulting from the ongoing investigation by the police watchdog. He also said politicians should avoid turning the teenager’s death into a “political football.”
The controversy has also renewed scrutiny of the Police Anti-Racism Commitment, a document published by police leaders last year. Critics have focused on language stating that police should not necessarily treat everyone “the same” if they are seeking equal policing outcomes across different ethnic groups.
In response, the organisation representing police chiefs in England and Wales said it would review the wording. Policing Minister Sarah Jones described the language as “wrong” and said it created the wrong impression. However, she stressed that the document is a statement of values rather than operational guidance and does not form the basis of police training or day-to-day policing decisions.
The circumstances surrounding Nowak’s death remain under investigation by the police watchdog, while political debate over the case and policing policies continues.