The leader of Reform UK-led Warwickshire County Council has publicly called on the authority's chief executive to issue a statement asserting that 'white lives matter too' in the wake of the murder of Henry Nowak. Councillor George Finch, who represents Bedworth Central, made the request in an open letter to Monica Fogarty, the council's most senior employed professional.
Background to the Case
The murder of Henry Nowak occurred in Southampton in December, with Vickrum Digwa, 23, recently convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 21 years. Video evidence from the case showed that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary officers, originally called by Digwa's brother, arrested and handcuffed Mr Nowak during a two-and-a-half-minute period. Despite Mr Nowak repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed and could not breathe, police only slightly lifted his clothing to check for wounds, finding none at that point, and proceeded with the arrest. An ambulance was called approximately two-and-a-half minutes after police first approached Mr Nowak, by which time he had become unresponsive.
Political Reactions
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage MP responded with an online video on Tuesday morning, featuring a YouTube caption that included the phrase: 'We should respond to this with pure cold rage.' On the same day, Councillor Finch published his request, distinctly asking Ms Fogarty to issue a public statement on 'the deeply troubling circumstances' surrounding Mr Nowak's death. He called for the murder and 'serious public concern' about the police response to be acknowledged, urging that the statement 'makes clear that white lives matter too, just as every life matters'.
Councillor Finch also demanded that knife crime be condemned in the 'strongest possible terms', that the importance of equal treatment of crime victims be reaffirmed, and that the statement advocate 'a proper national discussion' on public safety, knife carrying, and confidence in policing. In his letter, he acknowledged that the case did not occur in Warwickshire but argued that the issues it raises are national, directly affecting public confidence in policing, equal treatment before the law, knife crime, and whether all victims are treated with the same urgency and compassion.
Disorder and Criticism
Disorder followed on the streets of Southampton, with Mr Farage criticised for politicising Mr Nowak's death against the wishes of his family. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the case and on Wednesday urged the public 'to stop speculating on a live investigation'.
Councillor Finch's correspondence, published on his X and Facebook platforms, also referenced Ms Fogarty issuing a statement on Black Lives Matter in June 2020. 'I therefore believe it is entirely reasonable for you to make clear now that white lives matter too,' he wrote. 'That should not be a controversial statement. It should be a basic statement of equal humanity.'
Black Lives Matter Context
The Black Lives Matter movement was instigated when George Floyd was murdered by serving police officer Derek Chauvin in the United States on May 25, 2020. Chauvin kneeled on Mr Floyd's neck for nine minutes while he was face down on the ground. He was sentenced to 22-and-a-half years in prison and later convicted of violating Mr Floyd's rights. That led to mass protests and people of all backgrounds 'taking the knee'.
Warwickshire County Council's statement on that was released on June 9, 2020, attributed to Ms Fogarty, after Chauvin had been charged with murder on May 29. The statement read: 'We want to reference the events taking place in the United States and around the world. The brutal killing of George Floyd has horrified communities everywhere. We know the people of Warwickshire will share that abhorrence. As a public service, Warwickshire County Council works tirelessly to make our community one in which people feel safe. The killing of George Floyd makes us all take a breath and look around us to consider whether that is something that could happen here. We all hope not. We must state that racism has no place in Warwickshire. Black lives matter. As a community leader, this council condemns any acts of racism or violence and we hope that everyone in Warwickshire joins us in that condemnation.'
The council held a one-minute silence to pay tribute to Mr Floyd, his family, 'and to all individuals in Warwickshire and around the world who have sadly experienced any form of racism' on June 8. The statement also reaffirmed that the council – then under Conservative leadership – was committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and supporting black people and communities across Warwickshire. It concluded: 'We are committed to making Warwickshire the very best it can be. Black Lives Matter.'
A spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that Warwickshire County Council would not be commenting on Councillor Finch's correspondence or whether his request would be granted.
