Policing minister Sarah Jones has appealed for calm following riots in Southampton linked to the murder of Henry Nowak, and has called for a review of police anti-racism guidance.
Background to the Tragedy
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed feeling "sick" after watching footage of Henry Nowak being handcuffed while dying, after a police officer ignored his claims of being stabbed. Nowak's killer was jailed for life on Monday.
However, the murder has also triggered bad-faith responses, culminating in far-right rioting in Southampton last night. Two arrests have been made: one for assaulting a police officer and one for possession of a weapon.
Minister's Appeal
Speaking to Times Radio, Jones said: "We are urging that people take the anger that they feel, which I understand, but let's allow justice to do its course, and let's not over-react, which indeed is what the family are asking us to do as well."
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also issued a statement last night condemning the violence.
Anti-Racism Commitment Under Scrutiny
In her interviews, Jones confirmed that the government wants an official police anti-racism commitment reviewed. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp had criticised the document in the Commons, claiming it "urges police forces to reverse engineer the same arrest rates between ethnic groups".
Jones told BBC Breakfast: "We don't think that language is right. It is right to say there is a long history of racism in policing that we need to acknowledge. This document feels like it's not right, and I think it's right that the NPCC are reviewing it."
Today's Political Agenda
- Noon: PMQs with Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch.
- After 12.30pm: MPs debate Peter Mandelson files.
- 2.30pm: Climate Change Committee evidence on extreme weather.
- 3.30pm: Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks on Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
The minister's comments come as the government seeks to balance acknowledging historical racism in policing while rejecting measures that could be seen as compromising impartiality.
