Henry Nowak protesters accused of 'hijacking' tragedy - as PM says police have 'serious questions' to answer

The home secretary has condemned the "hijacking" of a tragedy after protests over the murder of Henry Nowak descended into violence.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life for stabbing the 18-year-old to death – after falsely telling police at the scene that he had been racially abused, prompting officers to handcuff the university student as he lay dying.

Protests broke out in Portswood, Southampton, on Tuesday following the release of bodycam footage in which Mr Nowak could be heard saying he had been stabbed and an officer replying: "Don't think you have, mate."

Sir Keir Starmer appealed for calm, while Ms Mahmood said the clashes were "completely unacceptable".

In a statement, she said: "The Nowak family made a powerful call… to not let Henry's death be used to create further division, hatred or tension.

"There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder."

Those responsible can expect to face "the full force of the law", she added, and thanked police officers for showing "great bravery and calm in the face of disgraceful violence directed at them".

A crowd of around 2,000 men, women and children gathered in front of Southampton Central Police Station, where far-right activist Tommy Robinson and Laurence Fox were among those who spoke to the crowd.

Chants of "I can't breathe" and "No justice, no peace" rang out, as well as "f*** the police" and criticism of the prime minister.

Farage criticised by PM for trying 'to create division'

Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at police in riot gear, eventually forcing officers and three police vans back from the line they had been holding in the area, close to where Mr Nowak was stabbed to death.

Live streams appeared to show objects such as bricks and bottles also being lobbed at the officers, and a police helicopter hovered overhead as officers were pelted with stones.

Earlier on Tuesday, Reform leader Nigel Farage said in a statement that people should respond with "pure cold rage" to police actions at the scene of Mr Nowak's murder – evidence, he claimed, of a "two-tier culture" and that "the rights and privileges of white people matter less than those of ethnic minorities".

Mr Nowak was "treated in a way that meant an accusation of a racial slur was treated more seriously than an act of murder", Mr Farage said.

The prime minister criticised Mr Farage, saying Mr Nowak's family did not "want this whipped up" and that the Reform leader was "completely wrong to use this to try and create division".

However, he said he himself had "felt sick" watching footage of police handcuffing Mr Nowak as he lay dying and that there were "serious questions" to answer about the case.

There needs to be an examination into how "accusations of racism" informed the police's decision-making, he said.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told ITV's Good Morning Britain that there should be "no two-tier policing, no believing that racism only happens to ethnic minorities".

The police watchdog is expected to report on the case within the next three months.

One of the officers involved in the case has resigned, Hampshire Police confirmed, while the other three are still serving. All are being treated as witnesses.

Mr Nowak's father Mark, speaking after Digwa was sentenced on Monday, said: "We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension."

A statement issued by the killer's family apologised "for the pain and suffering the Nowak family has had to endure", and for bringing the Sikh community into "disrepute".

(c) Sky News 2026: Henry Nowak protesters accused of 'hijacking' tragedy - as PM says police have 'serious