Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has condemned what she described as 'disgraceful' and 'unacceptable' violence after riot police were targeted with bottles and bricks during a protest in Southampton. The demonstration followed the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa, 23, who was given a life sentence for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Background to the Protest
Henry Nowak was stabbed to death by Digwa, who claimed the victim had racially abused him. Controversy erupted after bodycam footage showed an officer telling Nowak, 'Don't think you have, mate,' when he stated he had been stabbed. The incident has raised serious questions about police conduct and how accusations of racism influenced their decision-making.
Political Reactions
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he felt 'sick' watching the footage and has called for a full investigation into the matter. Nigel Farage likened Nowak's treatment to the killing of George Floyd, alleging a 'two-tier culture' in policing. However, both Ms Mahmood and Conservative leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch criticised Farage's comments as inflammatory and accused him of 'whipping people up.'
The violence at the protest has been widely condemned, with calls for calm and a thorough examination of the events surrounding Nowak's death and the subsequent police response.
