PM accuses Farage of exploiting Nowak case and denies 'two-tier policing' claim

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. PM accuses Farage of exploiting Nowak case and denies 'two-tier policing' claim21 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GooglePaul SeddonPolitical reporterHouse of CommonsSir Keir Starmer has accused Nigel Farage of exploiting the death of Henry Nowak to create "grievance and division", as the political fallout from the teenager's murder saw angry exchanges in the Commons. It comes after the Reform UK leader suggested the British public react with "pure, cold rage" to the actions of police, who arrested the 18-year-old as he lay dying after his killer falsely accused him of racism. Speaking during PMQs, Farage repeated his claim that the incident was the result of "two-tier policing", citing anti-racism guidance issued by police bosses.

The prime minister rejected this, adding that politicians needed to respond to the case with "serious work, not rage". Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years on Monday for Nowak's murder in Southampton last December. Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade he claimed to carry as part of his Sikh faith, before falsely claiming to police he had been the victim of a racist attack - leading officers to initially arrest the white teenager, rather than his killer.

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Bodycam footage released this week showed Nowak repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed as he lay dying in handcuffs. The incident, which is being investigated by the policing watchdog, prompted a wave of political reaction on Monday, including a video clip filmed by Farage in which he said the police response was evidence of "two-tier Britain," and called for an end to "anti-white prejudice". He added: "Henry's family have responded to this in just the most extraordinarily dignified way.

But I suggest the rest of us respond to this with pure, cold rage. "Two arrests as 11 officers hurt in Nowak protestsHenry Nowak case reignites claims of unfair policingSpeaking in the Commons, Farage repeated his insistence the case showed "two-tier policing", arguing that anti-racism guidelines issued to officers had led forces to treat "different ethnic groups in different ways". He warned that violent protests in response to the case could get worse if the public loses trust that they will be "treated fairly" by officers, as he was repeatedly heckled by other MPs to condemn clashes with police on Monday evening.

In reply, the prime minister said he had been "shocked" by Farage's response to the case, and accused him of disregarding pleas from Nowak's family that his death should not be used to stoke division in society. 'Grievance and division'"A grieving family have asked us not to respond in the way that the leader of Reform has responded," he told MPs. "My response - and the response of others, to be fair - has focused on the lessons to be learned, so we can deliver justice.

"His response has been to appeal for rage. Rage – that's his response to a father who's lost his son and asked for that not to happen.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.