Henry Nowak latest: 'Grotesque' Farage comments see Reform leader booed at PMQs

The grandmother of Henry Nowak's killer has described the convicted murderer as "difficult boy".

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail from her home in Southampton, Hampshire, Bimla Kaur, 75, said: "This whole case has destroyed two families: Henry's and mine.

"We are in a hard situation because we still have to support him [Digwa] but at the same time our hearts are broken and I'm very sorry for what's happened."

She added that Digwa had exploited their family's background. She said the family hail from a specific martial Sikh sectt hat describes itself as the 'commandos' of the faith and takes great pride in its expertise with swords, knives, and various other armaments.

The leader of the police watchdog has urged people to stop speculating about the murder of teenager Henry Nowak.

Independent Officer for Police Conduct (IOPC) Derrick Campbell said: “We are acutely aware of the public interest in this case.

“We would respectfully ask people to stop speculating on an ongoing live investigation.

“This investigation is going to fully establish the circumstances of the case including whether there may be misconduct on the part of any of the officers involved.

“The ongoing commentary about the evidence and speculation risks prejudicing any potential processes and preventing Henry Nowak’s family getting the answers they deserve.”

Nigel Farage “almost seems to enjoy” the violence after attacks by protesters on police near where teenager Henry Nowak was stabbed to death, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said.

Speaking to LBC’s Andrew Marr on Wednesday, Ms Phillipson said: “I thought Keir spoke incredibly powerfully about the terrible murder that we’ve seen, the impact that that’s had on the family, and how it is incumbent on all of us in positions of authority and leadership to be responsible in our approach and to do what is right by the country and by the family who have been through unimaginable, are going through, an unimaginable time.

“I cannot imagine how brave and how difficult it must have been for Henry’s father to stand there and make that plea.

“And then when you see Nigel Farage responding in a way that he refuses to condemn the violence, he almost seems to enjoy it. It’s really disturbing.”

In a clash with the Reform UK leader in the Commons today, the Prime Minister said: “His (Mr Farage’s) response has been to appeal for rage, rage. That’s his response to a father who has lost his son and asked for that not to happen.

“Exploiting this tragedy to create grievance and division would be wrong in any circumstances, but to do it when the family are expressly saying ‘please don’t’ is unforgivable. It shows exactly who he is.”

Southampton community leaders have suggested people were bussed into the city to fuel violence last night.

John Savage, a Labour representative for the Portswood ward of Southampton City Council where the disorder took place, described Portswood as a “progressive” area and said he believed most of the demonstrators were from other parts of the city as well as elsewhere in the country.

He added: “It’s absolutely outrageous, these are people who have been bussed in from other places to cause mayhem in our city.”

Sarah Bogle, the Labour leader of the city council, also said she believed a number of people had arrived in the city from elsewhere. She added: “They were pretty awful scenes last night and very unwelcome to see that level of disturbance in what is normally a very quiet neighbourhood.”

Darren Paffey, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, said: "Farage's words about pure cold rage are absolutely grotesque and I hope he's happy with what we've seen visited on our doors in Southampton, largely by hordes of people coming in from outside the city."

A barista at the cafe Mettricks Portswood in Southampton told the BBC: "When I'm serving, mostly everyone is talking about the situation... They're mostly saying it's unacceptable."

Sir Keir Starmer “would be open to meeting” Henry Nowak’s family “if they so wished”, No 10 said.

Any travel to Southampton would be set out in the usual way, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said.

Baroness Doreen Lawrence of Clarendon has said the police “should be at fault for what happened” after Henry Nowak was stabbed.

The Labour peer, whose 18-year-old son Stephen was murdered in 1993, told the Lords: “My condolence goes out to Henry Nowak’s family.

“I think what’s happened with him should never have happened. And the police should be at fault for what happened on that night.”

The Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary has warned people who target his officers and their families with “threats to life and harm” could face prosecution.

Alexis Boon said his force was dealing with an “incredible” level of abuse following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of Henry Nowak, not only during the disorder in Southampton on Tuesday evening but online as well.

He said the threats and violence were a part of using the “appalling tragedy to forward their agenda”.

Chief Constable Boon said Mr Nowak could not have been saved when he was found by officers. He said: "I think the fundamental point is the pathologist in the court case and if people read the judgement from the judge is very clear that it is tragic and sad but he could not be saved."It was just not survivable. That was the evidence presented at court."There is a whole range of circumstances in this case."I know why people see the footage and are extremely distraught. It is distressing footage."It is a tragedy to watch that footage and we have apologised for handcuffing and arresting Henry."It is not for me to prejudge. It is a tragedy from start to finish. The whole incident."It is deeply distressing. It is very difficult to watch and I think anyone that says otherwise is not right."We found it emotionally impacted us as well. It is a tragedy."People in policing completely empathise with Henry's family. We completely understand why they are so upset and traumatised by what happened."We get it. We do understand why there is this reaction."

Satvir Kaur, Labour MP for Southampton Test, spoke to the Mirror about some of the appalling stories that came from last night's violence in the city.

The Chief Constable of the force that arrested dying murder victim Henry Nowak today defended his officers and said "I don't accept the term of two-tier policing, I don't recognise it."Chief Constable Alexis Boon said "we are sorry for handcuffing and arresting Henry" but insisted his police force are good officers.

"I see officers and staff out there day in day out working incredibly hard to deliver for all our communities," he said.

"I just don't recognise the concept.

"The circumstances of that incident and how officers acted is all subject to an IOPC investigation. It is not right for me to speculate."

Satvir Kaur, Labour MP for Southampton Test, was asked if she's worried there could be more violence in the area.

She told the Mirror: "Yes. I'm talking to residents and that's exactly what they're saying to me right now. People are really terrified and people are really scared.

"This is a great city and a great community, and I think what adds to the fear is knowing that people from outside the city are coming in. This isn't people's neighbours that are suddenly rioting on our streets, these are people from outside of our city coming into it purely intent on causing harm and disruption, violence and huge criminal damage."

She added: "I am pleaing for local and national leaders to remember that one person's evil act does not represent an entire community. This is not a moment to pit one community against another.

"This is about coming together, condemning a criminal, horrendous, evil act and all working together to ensure something like this can never happen again in the streets of Southampton or any street across our country."

A driver has just passed by the scene of last night’s riot.

While stopping her car at the junction, she shouted out of her window: "I can’t breathe! Put that on the record."

Resident Scott Corsie watched on helpless as windows on both of his cars were smashed by projectiles, including bricks, aimed at police.

The dad-of-two was inside his house with his partner and their two sons, aged just three and six.

He feared the windows of the house would be targeted by thugs who wrongly thought his house belonged to Henry Nowak's killer due to the line of riot police outside it.

Mr Corsie, a construction worker, told the Mirror: "It was a standoff bwteen the police and the protesters. It went on from about half seven until half past 11.

"There were a lot of angry people. They were throwing stuff at the police. It was all happening right outside my house. The police line was right in my driveway. I was inside with my missus and two kids, I didn't come out, it was too dangerous.

"There was all sorts coming over - fences, flower pots, plant pots, bins. There were bins being set on fire and pushed down the road. My missus was like 'what the hell is going on?'. It's sad really. It was a bit scary."

Asked if he's worried there could be more trouble, he admitted: "A bit yeah, because obviously they were after the perpetrators house on this road.

"It's a bit of a concern really and because the police line was outside my house some people thought my house was the guy's house.

"I've seen things online where people are saying my house is the house. There's a video online as well of someone saying 'they're inside watching EastEnders'.

"We don't want any reprisals. The back windows on both our cars were smashed. I've been onto the insurance company this morning. It is what it is. It's mad. I've been living here ten years. Nothing like this has ever happened."

Speaking at the scene of last night's riot, Satvir Kaur, Labour MP for Southampton Test, told the Mirror: "It's been really heartbreaking and heartwarming to spend the morning with local residents. The clean-up operation this morning was absolutely phenomenal. The community has really come together.

"It's heartbreaking to hear the stories from last night. Everything from a mum having windows smashed and finding glass in her children's helmets and what they play with, to couples scared to send their children out.

"Hearing what they would call 'a mob' yelling at them, telling them to join them because if they don't, they're not patriotic, to seeing people coming onto your property using whatever they can pick up, from bricks to stones, throwing it everywhere. Absolutely terrifying for a community and a city that actually is really unified and peaceful.

"It was really sad to see hundreds of people from outside of our city coming into our city, clearly intent on causing huge disruption and violence purely to sow divisons and spread hatred at a time when this moment really called for calm and unity, particularly when Henry Nowak's family want to use the tragic loss of their son, after the most brutal murder we've seen in some time, to not sow divisions and spread hatred, but to ensure we all come together and work towards a single aim and that is to make sure something like this can never happen again."

She added: "Those with any leadership need to show leadership, and right now what this moment really calls for is leaders to come together and us actually to be united in condemning this. Saying that, of course, tensions are high and emotions are high, questions needs to be answered, concerns need to be raised, but let's unify in ensuring that is done properly and due process is followed.

"I've had reassurances from the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister that there's an independent investigation happening. Let's ensure that is done as quickly as possible, is fully resourced, thorough, and open and transparent because right now my community, this city, this country, needs to have faith and confidence in their local and national police force."

Our reporter Patrick Hill is at the scene of last night's protests. He says:

The clean-up operation on St Denys Road began early this morning with residents replacing broken fence panels and cleaning up. One car, which had its back window smashed, was covered in tarpaulin to protect it from the rain.

Despite no visible signs of the trouble remaining, a clear sense of unease remains in the area today, less than 24 hours after the rioting.

Yesterday, Hampshire Police confirmed that one of the officers involved in the case has resigned, while the other three are still serving.

A force spokesperson has now said that the officer who resigned did so at the end of last year and "not as a result of this incident".

Henry Novak was murdered by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton on December 3, 2025.

Speaking to the BBC Today Programme this morning, Policing Minister Sarah Jones said it would "not be right" to publicly say whether the officers involved in the case are still serving in front-line roles.

Southampton resident Eddie Thomas described last night's protest as "absolutely insane".

He told the BBC: "There were bricks being thrown... a bin fire was started literally as we arrived."

Mr Thomas added that around a third of the crowd were acting "rowdy" and "violent". "Most of the crowd were quite young... most of the crowd just stood filming," he said.

If you're joining us now, violent protests broke out in Southampton last night after body-worn camera footage was released showing how Hampshire Police officers responded to the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was jailed for life on Monday for murdering the student in Southampton in December 2025 with what a judge called a "Sikh dagger". At the time, Mr Nowak was walking back from a night out with his football teammates.

• After stabbing the student, Digwa lied to police at the scene and claimed he had been the victim of a racist attack, leading officers to arrest Mr Nowak.
• As he was being handcuffed, Mr Nowak could be heard repeatedly saying: "I’ve been stabbed," to which an officer replied: "Don’t think you have, mate."
• The footage sparked outrage and prompted protests outside Southampton Central Police Station last night, where 'Unite the Kingdom' flags were displayed and speeches were given by far-right activist Tommy Robinson - real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - and others.
• The protest grew violent as the crowd moved towards the Digwa family home, where a neighbour said both her family's car and the Digwa family's car were smashed. Chairs, cans and flares were among the missiles hurled at officers in riot gear. Hampshire Police said 11 officers and a police dog were injured.
• Opening PMQs at midday today, Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons there was "no justification for more violence and disorder".

The 11 Hampshire Police officers who were injured during last night's protest did not suffer serious injuries, the head of the Hampshire Police Federation has said.

Chairman Spencer Wragg said the "violent and sustained disorder... has no place on the streets of this country".

He added: "Thankfully none of the injuries sustained by colleagues – including seven by bricks being hurled at them - were serious but this does not diminish the dangers officers faced or the courage they displayed.

"The perpetrators of such violence against our colleagues should and will face the full force of the law. We expect more arrests to follow."

The Mirror's Political Editor Lizzy Buchan reports from the House of Commons...

Nigel Farage was booed and heckled during PMQs, with MPs shouting "shame on you".

The Reform UK leader clashed with the Prime Minister who accused him of "exploiting" Henry Nowak's murder and ignoring his family's pleas by saying people should respond with "pure cold fury".

Noise erupted as he tried to push false claims of "two-tier policing" and MPs could be heard shouting "condemn the violence" as he spoke of protests in Southampton.

The PM hit back at him with a devastating take-down of his attempts to stoke division.

Mr Farage is often the target of fury during PMQs - and usually laughs off criticism, flanked by his MPs who furiously shout back on his behalf.

But he and his key lieutenants Richard Tice, Robert Jenrick and Lee Anderson all looked grim-faced, staring at their phones for much of the clash. Perhaps a sign they realise they've misread the public mood?

Sir Keir Starmer has blasted Nigel Farage for "exploiting" the murder of Henry Nowak and urged him to respect the family's request not to use the 18-year-old's death to "create division", says our political correspondent Sophie Huskisson at PMQs.

Addressing the Reform UK leader's claims that Britain has "two-tier policing", the Prime Minister said: "I don't believe there's two-tier policing in this country.

"I'm really shocked that he pretends to have respect for Henry's family and then acts in this way. They are a grieving family. A grieving family has asked us not to respond in the way that the leader of Reform has responded. They've asked us not to.

"They have lost their son in the most appalling circumstances. They make a simple plea of us as human beings to please not exploit that. That is their plea to us - we all need to reflect on those words of Henry's father.

"My response and others has been so we can deliver justice. His response has been to appeal for rage. Rage. That's his response to a father who's lost his son and asked for that not to happen.

"Exploiting this tragedy to create grievance and division would be wrong in any circumstances, but to do it when the family are expressly saying 'please don't' is unforgivable. It shows exactly who he is."

Speaking after Vickrum Digwa's sentencing on Monday, Mark Nowak, Henry's father, said the family did not want his death "to be used to create further division, hatred or tension".

The latest from PMQs in Westminster from our political correspondent Sophie Huskisson…

Speaking in the House of Commons, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the UK is living under "two-tier policing". He said: "It is now clear to growing millions in this country that we are living under two-tier policing.

"The instructions that are given to police officers from police bosses are clear and written down in ink. It says you must treat different ethnic groups in different ways.

"Apart from the upset and the anger at the circumstances of his death, the anger that you saw spilling out in Southampton last night and in Wyndham is in danger... which is in danger of getting considerably worse."

As Mr Farage spoke, MPs could be heard shouting and calling on him to condemn the violence against police officers, which Reform UK has not yet done.

He continued: "If the public lose trust in being treated fairly by the police. Can he take some action to end this divisive practice of two-tier policing and make sure that all British citizens are treated the same?"

Before asking the Prime Minister a question about the welfare bill during PMQs, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch offered her "deepest condolences" to Henry Nowak's family and said his murder should serve as a "wake-up call to the entire country and our institutions".

"Every life matters, and it is the responsibility of everyone in this House to bring people together, not divide them," she added.

Our political correspondent Sophie Huskisson is at the House of Commons.

Opening PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer condemned the "violence and disorder" directed at police officers during protests over the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.

The Prime Minister said: "The attacks directed towards police officers in Southampton last night were disgraceful and completely unacceptable. This is a time for serious work, not rage."

Hampshire Police said 11 officers and a service dog were injured during the protests.

Sir Keir Starmer has begun PMQs by paying tribute to Henry Nowak, saying: "Henry Nowak's family have shown extraordinary dignity after their son's life was stolen in appalling circumstances. He was clearly a kind and thoughtful and much loved young man.

"There are serious questions to answer, including how accusations of racism informed police thinking, and we are supporting the IOPC [Independent Office for Police Conduct] to get to the bottom of what happened. But no matter the pain we feel, there is no justification for more violence and disorder."

Darren Paffey, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, and Satvir Kaur, Labour MP for Southampton Test, have issued a joint statement saying: "The appalling scenes we saw yesterday evening have no place in our city.

"The senseless murder of Henry Nowak and the police response have provoked strong feelings and raised serious questions that need answering. These are understandable and legitimate, and we have both been clear about the need for transparency and accountability.

"But we should also be clear about the violence that we saw last night. This 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.

"Henry’s family have said that they do not want his death to be used to create tension. 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.

"Those who don’t are wrong. The violence and disorder we saw yesterday can never be justified and should not be repeated. And to those who choose to come to our city and hijack this tragedy to stoke hatred: you are not wanted here."