Nigel Farage has faced a hostile reception in the House of Commons after MPs reacted with anger to his comments on the murder of Henry Nowak. The Reform UK leader had earlier made an 'emergency address' in which he called for 'pure cold rage' and linked the case to 'anti-white prejudice', prompting widespread condemnation.
Farage's intervention came after police released footage of Nowak pleading for help while handcuffed, moments before he died from stab wounds. The Reform leader claimed the case highlighted 'two-tier' policing and called for a review of the sentence given to Nowak's killer, Vickrum Singh Digwa, who was convicted of manslaughter.
However, Farage's remarks have been criticised by MPs across the political spectrum, with some accusing him of exploiting a tragedy for political gain. The comments also come as Farage faces pressure from hard-right rivals, including former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, who has called for the death penalty in such cases.
The murder has been seized upon by far-right groups, who have used social media to spread racist narratives and memes. Experts warn that the case could fuel ethnonationalist agendas, similar to past incidents such as the murder of Kriss Donald in the 2000s.
Farage's decision to address the issue via a live stream rather than a press conference has been linked to recent controversies, including revelations about a £5m gift from a crypto billionaire and his claim that his phone was hacked by Russians. The Reform leader has declined to answer questions on these matters.
