Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the riots in Southampton on Tuesday night, calling for calm and criticising Nigel Farage's response to the murder of Henry Nowak. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer said it was 'a time for serious work, not rage' and described Farage's call for 'pure, cold rage' as 'unforgivable'.
Starmer praised the dignity of Nowak's family and stressed that there are serious questions to answer about how accusations of racism informed police thinking. He confirmed the government would support the Independent Office for Police Conduct in its investigation into the conduct of officers who handcuffed Nowak after he was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa.
Eleven police officers and one police dog were injured during the disorder, which involved far-right agitators. Starmer warned that anyone engaging in violence would face the full force of the law, echoing the plea from Nowak's father not to exploit the tragedy for division.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones also condemned the violence and criticised anti-discrimination guidance that suggests treating black and white suspects differently, calling it 'wrong'. The National Police Chiefs' Council has announced a review of the guidance, which some blame for the officers' actions.
