The US State Department has condemned what it describes as 'two-tier policing' in the UK following the killing of teenager Henry Nowak, echoing claims made by Nigel Farage that have sparked widespread controversy.
Henry Nowak Killing
Henry Nowak, 18, was fatally knifed in Southampton last December by Vickrum Digwa, 23, before being restrained in handcuffs by officers as he lay bleeding to death in the road. Following the emergence of footage, Hampshire Constabulary issued an apology to Mr Nowak's family for the distress caused by the officers' actions, acknowledging that mistakes were made.
US State Department Statement
In a statement posted on social media, the US State Department said: 'Ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing are glaring symptoms of civilisational decline. They must be rejected across the West. The United States sends our condolences to the family of Henry Nowak and the people of the United Kingdom at this troubling time.'
Farage's Comments in Parliament
The remarks mirror those of Mr Farage, who argued in the Commons on Wednesday that the UK has 'two-tier policing' and that officers are instructed to treat different ethnic groups differently. He said: 'Following the horrendous circumstances of Henry Nowak's death, can I urge the Prime Minister to consider this: it is now clear to growing millions in this country that we are living under two-tier policing. The instructions that are given to police officers from police bosses are clear and written down in ink. It says you must treat different ethnic groups in different ways.'
He added: 'Apart from the upset and the anger at the circumstances of his death, the anger that you saw spilling out in Southampton last night, which is in danger of getting considerably worse... If the public lose trust in being treated fairly by the police, can he (Sir Keir) take some action, end this divisive practice of two-tier policing, and make sure that all British citizens are treated the same?'
Prime Minister's Response
Sir Keir Starmer condemned Nigel Farage's 'appeal for rage' in response to Mr Nowak's death as 'unforgivable'. Sir Keir responded: 'I don't believe there's two-tier policing in this country. I'm really shocked that he pretends to have respect for Henry's family and then acts in this way. The grieving family have asked us not to respond in the way that the leader of Reform has responded. They've asked us not to. They have lost their son in the most appalling circumstance. They make a simple plea of us as human beings to please not exploit that. That is their plea to us.'
He continued: 'We all need to reflect on those words of Henry's father. My response, and the response of others to be fair, has been focused on the lessons to be learned, so we can deliver justice. His (Mr Farage's) response has been to appeal for rage, rage. That's his response to a father who has lost his son and asked for that not to happen. Exploiting this tragedy to create grievance and division would be wrong in any circumstances, but to do it when the family are expressly saying 'please don't' is unforgivable. It shows exactly who he is.'
Prosecution and Protests
Digwa, who inflicted the fatal blow using a ceremonial Sikh dagger known as a kirpan, received a life sentence for the killing on Monday. The murder has ignited widespread protests across Britain, with large crowds of demonstrators taking to the streets demanding justice for Nowak. Hampshire's Chief Constable Alexis Boon has apologised to Mr Nowak's family but condemned the scenes on the streets of Southampton as 'disgraceful', after eleven police officers sustained injuries and two individuals were arrested as the protests intensified.
Review of Policing Guidance
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has announced it will review the document and is 'listening to legitimate concerns' surrounding it — with Downing Street stating the body is 'rightly' seeking to eliminate 'ambiguity'.
