Sir Keir Starmer accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of “trying to whip up division” after the release of bodycam footage showing 18-year-old Henry Nowak being handcuffed as he lay dying. The footage, and subsequent violent protests in Southampton, have prompted widespread political reaction across the UK.
Nowak was fatally stabbed in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa, who later told police he had been the victim of a racist attack. Digwa, 23, was jailed for life on Monday with a minimum term of 21 years.
Musk, owner of X, posted on the platform urging people to share the video and accusing mainstream media of ignoring the incident. He wrote that people should “send the video to everyone you know,” and suggested legacy outlets were silent despite extensive coverage of George Floyd. Those comments drew criticism from Starmer and other politicians.
Speaking in York, Sir Keir said Musk had been “interfering in our politics” and called on everyone to heed the Nowak family’s request for calm. He emphasised that Britain should not be pulled into division and warned politicians against exploiting the tragedy. Starmer said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the officers’ actions and that National Police Chiefs’ Council guidance on race was being reviewed as a result of the case.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also criticised Musk, calling his actions a form of foreign interference aimed at destabilising British society.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who met Nowak’s mother, father and stepmother, said the family had asked for cross-party and interfaith work to rebuild trust in the police. She praised their courage and said the matter should prompt serious examination of any religious practices or exemptions that might allow dangerous items to be carried in public, and whether legal changes are needed.
Nowak’s father, Mark, appealed for calm outside court after the sentencing, saying the family did not want the young man’s death to be used to create “division, hatred or tension” and that they hoped his story would help make streets safer.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of exploiting the case after Farage urged “pure, cold rage” in response to the footage. Farage later sought to clarify his remarks, saying his point related to perceived inequality in how different groups are treated by police.
Other political figures urged restraint. Former Reform MP Rupert Lowe told supporters on X not to attack police and to “stay calm.”
Police conduct investigators continue their enquiries and politicians from across the spectrum have been urged to listen to the family and avoid stoking further tensions while lessons are learned.
