Starmer slams Farage for inciting racial anger over student murder

London, June 3 (EFE) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sharply criticized populist leader Nigel Farage for exploiting the racially charged murder of a white student to incite anger. Starmer called Farage's actions "unforgivable," particularly after the victim's family pleaded for the tragedy not to be politicized.

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His response (by Farage) has been to incite anger. That is his response to a father who has lost his son and asked that this not happen. Exploiting this tragedy to create resentment and division would be wrong in any circumstance, but to do so when the family expressly asks that you do not is unforgivable.

The case involves the December 2025 death of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old British student of Polish descent, who was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, a 23-year-old British native of Sikh faith. Disturbing police bodycam footage showed officers handcuffing Nowak, who was bleeding on the ground, while seemingly ignoring his pleas of injury and difficulty breathing. Digwa, standing nearby, accused Nowak of making racist slurs.

Farage, leader of the right-wing populist Reform UK party, seized on the incident during a parliamentary session. He accused law enforcement of a "double standard" and warned that public trust in the police could erode, fueling public anger. Starmer, however, rejected the notion of a police double standard and expressed deep surprise at Farage's rhetoric, emphasizing the victim's family's plea against exploiting their grief.

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The family, consumed by grief, has asked us not to respond as the leader of Reform has done. They have asked us. They have lost their son in the most terrible circumstances. They make a simple plea to us as human beings: please, do not take advantage of their situation.

"Exploiting this tragedy to create resentment and division would be wrong in any circumstance, but to do so when the family expressly asks that you do not is unforgivable," Starmer stated in the House of Commons. The attacker was recently sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years. The case has surfaced underlying concerns in the UK about immigration and interfaith tolerance, with some right-wing critics alleging a bias favoring non-white populations.

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I do not believe there is a double standard in the police force in this country, and I am profoundly surprised that Farage speaks in this way.