UK protests over Henry Nowak killing spark parliamentary clash

Eighteen‑year‑old Henry Nowak was stabbed to death by 23‑year‑old Vickrum Digwa in Southampton in December 2025. Digwa was later convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. In June 2026, body‑camera footage of the incident sparked protests outside the Southampton police station, with some demonstrators throwing bottles, rockets and other objects. Police officers and a police dog were injured, and two people were arrested.

The unrest entered the political arena when Reform UK leader Nigel Farage accused the police of applying a "two‑tier" approach to different ethnic groups. Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected Farage's claim, stating that the case does not demonstrate racial bias and referring the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for an investigation into the police's handling of the scene.