LONDON - Britain's interior minister, Shabana Mahmood, on Wednesday condemned as "completely unacceptable" violent protests sparked by the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. Nowak was handcuffed by police as he lay dying after his killer falsely claimed a racist attack. The case has dominated UK headlines since the sentencing of the killer, Vikrum Digwa, on Monday.
Mahmood said: "There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder." Protesters clashed with police in Southampton, near where the stabbing occurred. A further protest is planned outside Parliament in London.
Court pathologists determined Nowak would have died regardless of the emergency response, but his family called his treatment "inhumane and degrading." Nowak's father urged the public not to use his son's death for hatred or division.
The case has fueled a political debate over policing and race, with figures like Reform Party leader Nigel Farage and Elon Musk weighing in. Farage claimed the incident shows preferential treatment for minorities, while Musk accused police of racism against whites. Mahmood insisted everyone is equal before the law and urged patience for the ongoing police conduct investigation.
The National Police Chiefs' Council is reviewing guidelines advising officers not to be "color blind" in their approach. Hampshire Police has apologized; one officer involved has resigned, and three others are witnesses.
Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison. He had lied to police, claiming Nowak attacked him. Bodycam video shows Nowak saying "I've been stabbed" and "I can't breathe" while being handcuffed, to which an officer replied, "I don't think you have, mate."