Cries of 'shame' as Reform's Nigel Farage pushes 'two tier policing' claimspublished at 12:45 BST

12:45 BST

Chris Mason
Political editor

Image source, House of Commons

More from PMQs, where Keir Starmer faced further questions about Henry Nowak's murder and the protests that followed in Southampton on Tuesday night.

Plenty may have anticipated that the main exchanges at PMQs this week would be dominated by the case of Henry Nowak.

But the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has sought to emphasise her desire not to overtly politicise the issue - a position that brought public praise from the prime minister.

The Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey adopted a similar stance. That in itself is, of course, political - and pointed directly in Reform UK’s direction.

MPs knew that Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, had a question to come.

The prime minister was able to set out his argument - of respecting the Nowak family’s desire for this not to be politicised - immediately before Farage’s question.

Cries of "shame" from Labour MPs greeted the Reform leader standing up, and outrage when he referred to the scenes in Southampton last night and the prospect of further unrest to come.

Farage argued the case proved there was what he calls "two tier policing", something the prime minister dismisses.

Beyond this case, the government and society at large wrestle with how it addresses long standing concerns about racism and how mechanisms to tackle this don’t lead to unintended or perverse consequences.

Over in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has begun PMQs by paying tribute to Henry Nowak and condemning Tuesday night's protests in Southampton.

Starmer says Nowak's family have shown "extraordinary dignity", and stresses there are "serious questions" to answer "including how accusations of racism informed police thinking".

He then calls the attacks on police officers "digraceful and unacceptable" and says it is "time for serious work, not rage".

The prime minister adds that anyone found engaging in disorder will meet "the full force of the law".

• You can follow our coverage of PMQs on our live page

A former chief superintendent for the Metropolitan Police has warned politicians not to "take advantage" of Henry Nowak's murder.

Dal Babu tells BBC Politics Live that the investigation into Nowak's murder should not be used for political advantage, but says "certain individuals" have done so.

He says some have "suddenly come to the idea" that race training has had a "disproportional impact" on how Nowak was treated, without "looking at the facts".

Babu says Nowak's handcuffing and arrest after he had been stabbed is down to a "fundamental operational failure", adding that the public "need to have more information coming in before we can come to any decisions".

Claire Quinn
Northern Ireland reporter

Image source, Shabnam Chaudhri

Former Metropolitan Police Det Supt Shabnam Chaudhri tells the BBC it is "very difficult to defend the actions of the officers at the scene" where Henry Nowak was handcuffed, saying it "demonstrates really, really poor policing".

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme, Chaudhri explains that when officers attended, they "didn’t preserve life" and "seem to ignore" when Henry Nowak said he couldn’t breathe and that he had been stabbed.

She says in a situation like this, when there are two parties, the "first thing any police officer would do, even in their training, is separate them". Instead, she says, they allowed Vickrum Digwa to "hover over Henry".

"There was no investigation, so simple questions, not enough questions asked to actually establish what had happened," she says.

But she denies the "rhetoric of two-tier policing", saying things just "went horribly wrong".

• An independent investigation into how police are handling the case is under way - here’s when we’ll find out the result

Image source, Getty Images

Labour MPs Darren Paffey and Satvir Kaur have released a joint statement following Tuesday night's protests in Southampton.

They say that while questions about the police response to Henry Nowak's murder are "legitimate", last night's violence "was not a lawful and peaceful protest".

"Instead, it was the grotesque and cynical spectacle of a young man’s death being used to whip up division, inflame tensions, and provoke criminal disorder," the statement reads.

Paffey and Kaur also refer to Nowak's family's statement, which stressed they do not want Henry's death to create further division.

"Most of us in Southampton will rightly choose to respect the wishes of a grieving family while allowing the proper processes to run their course," the MPs write.

The statement ends: "To those who choose to come to our city and hijack this tragedy to stoke hatred: you are not wanted here."

• You can read a first-person account of the protest from our reporter here

Last night, violent protests broke out in Southampton after bodycam footage was released showing how police handled Henry Nowak's murder.

Here's what we know this morning:

• Two people were arrested at the protests and more arrests may follow, police say. Eleven officers and one police dog were injured
• Hampshire Police Chief Constable Alexis Boon says there will be more officers patrolling neighbourhoods over the next few days
• The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has started its investigation into the handling of Nowak's murder

And here's what politicians are saying:

• Policing minister Sarah Jones told the BBC that police anti-racism guidance needs to be changed - and quickly
• Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for Labour to treat Nowak's murder as seriously as the death of George Floyd in the US in 2020
• After Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said people should respond with "pure, cold rage", the party's Robert Jenrick said: "I just want police officers to treat everyone in this country equally"
• Liberal Democrat MP Liz Jarvis says she is "appalled" by the scenes in Southampton, adding "violence is never acceptable"
• Green Party MP Sian Berry says anyone using Henry Nowak's case to divide communities deserves "no place in our public life"
• Sikh MP Tan Dhesi told BBC Breakfast Sikhs are now "fearful because of the political climate that has been engulfing us"

Image source, PA Media

Green Party MP Sian Berry says anyone using Henry Nowak's case to divide communities deserves "no place in our public life".

In a statement, Berry says her party rejects "attempts to scapegoat the entire Sikh community for an act carried out by a single individual".

After police said two arrests were made during unrest in Southampton on Tuesday night, Berry adds that "those who seek to use this tragedy to incite violence, create division in our communities and further their own political ambitions, are deeply irresponsible and deserve no place in our public life".

Peter Cooke
Reporting from Southampton

Hampshire Police has released a statement condemning the protest on Tuesday in Southampton, which left 11 officers injured.

Here’s an account from our reporter who was on the ground last night.

As the sun began to set in a quiet suburb of Southampton I arrived close to the scene where Henry Nowak was attacked and died.

I was met by a large, volatile and angry group of protesters and local youths.

Some had taken part in an earlier peaceful protest at Southampton Police station.

Many were wearing masks, most were filming or live streaming the scene to friends and social media followers.

Dozens of missiles and projectiles were launched towards police officers dressed in riot gear who had blocked off a nearby road where it is believed the family of Henry Nowak’s killer live.

A police officer narrowly avoided being hit by an e-scooter which had been thrown from a height.

Bricks, bottles, gravel and parts of broken fences were repeatedly launched towards the officers.

Overhead the police helicopter and drone monitored the scene.

I also saw several protesters injured as they and officers clashed.

Some residents of this quiet community outside the city centre seemed shocked and scared by what they were witnessing.

Here's the statement from Chief Constable Alexis Boon:

"We understand and appreciate as police officers that we are accountable for our actions. What we ask, however, is that those actions are judged through fair and transparent processes. In this case, that process is already underway with the IOPC conducting their independent investigation.

"What we, as a society, cannot accept is the violent scenes we saw in Southampton last night.

"Some clearly arrived intent on causing disorder and trouble. We saw bottles thrown, makeshift weapons used, damage caused to the homes and vehicles of innocent residents and threats and violence directed towards our officers.

"As a result, 11 officers and one police dog were injured, while trying to do their job to protect the communities that we serve.

"While we are forced to deal with those determined to spark fear and division, our finite resources are taken away from those who need it most.

"I know how intimidating the scenes from last night must have been for those living and working in the area and to you, I must stress, we have incredibly experienced teams of officers who are working around the clock to keep you safe - that is our absolute priority.

"You will see more of my officers patrolling your neighbourhoods over the coming days and specialist intelligence teams are supporting those on the frontline.

"My officers bravely and robustly faced violence with professionalism and courage last night and this morning our investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the disorder.

"Last night, we made two arrests and that number will rise as those investigations continue.

"I know that since the release of the body-worn video footage from the night of Henry Nowak’s murder, there is a desire for answers and accountability but that must be done in the right way and not used as an excuse to threaten and intimidate my officers and bring violence to our streets causing fear and harm to those living and working in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight."

Hampshire Police Chief Constable Alexis Boon says 11 officers and one police dog were injured after protests in Southampton on Tuesday night.

In a statement, Boon says two arrests were made, with the number expected to rise as investigations continue into those responsible for the disorder.

We'll bring you the rest of Boon's statement shortly.

Malu Cursino
Live reporter

To report on stories like this, we need to hear from different stakeholders and organisations - which often means a lot of acronyms.

So, what do they all stand for?

IOPC is the Independent Office for Police Conduct. It's the police complaints watchdog for England and Wales, working independently from the police.

NPCC stands for the National Police Chiefs' Council. The NPCC is a UK-wide body that brings police leaders together to work collaboratively and improve policing for the public.

PCC stands for police and crime commissioner. These are elected officials in England and Wales who make sure local police meet the needs of the community.

Police must refer any deaths or serious injuries in custody to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will investigate if needed.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons on Tuesday that the IOPC plans to report back within the next three months.

"I know that it is difficult to wait any longer for answers but there is a proper process to assess whether there have been incidents of police misconduct," she said.

"[The IOPC] will determine what could and should have been done differently," she continued, adding that it will also establish "what action may need to be taken against individual officers."

IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said in a statement yesterday that the IOPC will meet Henry Nowak's family and update them about the investigation.

Campbell also said the investigation will look at officers' use of handcuffs, the first aid given, police body-worn camera footage, and evidence shown during the murder trial.

The first-ever turbaned Sikh MP says there’s "no excuse for the violent disorder or the rioting we have seen" after Henry Nowak’s death.

Tan Dhesi, Labour MP for Slough, also thanks Nowak’s father Mark, who called for his son’s death not to "be used to create further division, hatred or tension".

Dhesi tells BBC Breakfast the Sikh community has been left shamed and shocked by the murder.

He adds that many Sikhs are now "fearful because of the political climate that has been engulfing us - especially on social media".

Dhesi is also asked about the debate around the kirpan - a ceremonial sword or dagger carried by Sikhs - following Nowak’s murder.

He points out that the kirpan is one of the five articles of faith in Sikhism, and that Nowak’s murder did not involve the kirpan Vickrum Digwa wore under his clothing.

The knife Digwa used to kill Nowak was a different one, carried around his neck, and according to the Sikh Federation, it was not a kirpan.

• What do Sikh traditions have to do with this case? Read more here

Sima Kotecha
Senior UK correspondent

More about the police anti-racism commitment document.

The guidance, issued by police chiefs in England and Wales, came off the back of various high-profile scandals in policing including on an international level.

There have been various reports surrounding WhatsApp messages in the UK - where officers have been found to have sent seriously offensive racist messages to one another.

There has also been much focus on police tactics such as "stop and search" - with studies suggesting it's used disproportionately on black people in London.

A senior serving police officer tells me: "A history of racism in policing is something we’ve had to look at and react to. But perhaps we’ve gone too far the other way? At the heart of what we do is treat everyone the same - and we need to make sure we’re doing that.”

Cachella Smith
Live reporter

As we've been reporting, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said on Tuesday it would review the language used in a document outlining anti-racism commitments, after shadow home secretary Chris Philp raised concerns.

Called the "Police Anti-Racism Commitment", the document sets out broad aims, including being "transparent" about police actions and making sure everyone in policing feels confident challenging racism.

One part that has caused debate in the last 24 hours is a commitment to achieving equality of "policing outcomes". The document says: "It does not mean treating everyone ‘the same’ or being ‘colour blind’ (racial equality)," with the reason given below:

The document, published last year, comes from the Police Race Action Plan which was announced in 2020 and first published in 2022.

The plan said it followed policing's "difficult history in its relationships with Black communities" - referencing the murder of George Floyd and the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones called it a "values document" this morning, not a training document. The NPCC says it sets out the "overarching ambition of the plan for a police service that was anti-racist and trusted by Black people".

BBC Verify has analysed footage released by police showing the moments before Henry Nowak died.

Nowak is handcuffed on the floor after telling police he has been stabbed.

"I can't breathe," he says - repeating it at least seven times.

A warning - this video contains distressing content.

Image source, PA Media

Reform UK's Robert Jenrick has called for a change in the way policing in the UK is conducted "for good".

Speaking to Times Radio, Jenrick says the case "must be a turning point".

He says Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is too "squeamish" about upsetting ethnic minorities to address the issue.

"I just want police officers to treat everyone in this country equally," he says, and denies that he is "pitting white Britons against ethnic minority Britons".

On Tuesday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage suggested people should respond to Henry Nowak's case with "pure cold rage". He said "a false accusation of racism counted higher at that moment than somebody that was dying" after the 18-year-old was handcuffed by police.

Here are the key points from policing minister Sarah Jones when she spoke to the BBC this morning:

• Two people were arrestedover the disorder in Southampton last night, with Jones calling the violence towards police "completely awful"
• Police are assessing drone footage to see if more arrests will be made
• Jones urged that Nowak's death should not "lead to more hate and division"
• Asked if there is a two-tier policing system, Jones told the BBC that "in the majority of cases, police are doing the right thing", but added "we see examples of people making the wrong call in different ways"
• She said it is right that the National Police Chiefs' Council is reviewing the anti-racism guidance, saying "this document feels like it's not right"

Sima Kotecha
Senior UK correspondent

I’ve spoken to a few serving police officers from various forces in England since the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa on Monday.

The mood among them is downbeat.

One said: “We’ve had several reports about how racist we are in the last few years when it comes to people, black people and Asian people, and so we’re very cautious when handling cases involving different races. Maybe we’re too cautious now.”

Another told me: “We have such a hard job and we’re always scrutinised. But we need to get it right. I just wish people got the pressure we’re under because of the accusations we’re racist by those who’ve done reports.”

Others echoed these sentiments.

These are just opinions from a few officers and by no means reflect what most police officers think.

But the views do give us some insight into the pressure officers face over race relations off the back of various damning reports in recent years.

For example the Dame Louise Casey report into the Metropolitan Police concluded the force was institutionally racist - words that reverberated across UK policing.

West Yorkshire Police has also faced some scrutiny. Since 2022, nine staff members have been to a misconduct hearing for racial discrimination. Of those, eight staff members were dismissed without notice and one case was not proved.

These details are damaging - and I’m told - have a lasting impact on the psyche of police officers.