Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage clashed sharply during Prime Minister’s Questions over the death of Henry Nowak and the subsequent protests in Southampton. The exchange occurred in the House of Commons as lawmakers debated the handling of the case and the broader implications for policing in the United Kingdom.

Farage, speaking first, urged the Prime Minister to address what he described as “two tier policing.” He claimed that police bosses give written instructions to officers requiring them to treat different ethnic groups in different ways. Citing the anger over Nowak’s death, Farage warned that the violence that spilled out in Southampton last night was in danger of getting considerably worse if the public loses trust in being treated fairly by the police. He called on the government to end what he termed a divisive practice and to ensure all British citizens are treated the same.

The Prime Minister responded by stating he does not believe there is two-tier policing in the country. Starmer expressed shock that Farage would claim to have respect for Henry’s family and then act in such a manner. He noted that the grieving family had explicitly asked lawmakers not to respond in the way the leader of Reform had responded. The Prime Minister quoted Henry’s father, who made a simple plea to not exploit the tragedy. Starmer accused Farage of appealing for rage, calling it unforgivable to exploit the tragedy to create grievance and division when the family expressly asked for that not to happen.

Following the initial clash, Farage pivoted to a local issue, asking the Prime Minister if he had studied the recent election results in Havering. Farage noted that zero Labour councilors were elected in Romford, zero Conservative councilors were elected for the first time since 1964 across Havering, and that it was the first Reform UK London borough. He asked if the Prime Minister would deliver an accident and emergency unit at Queens Hospital for the people of Romford, which he claimed the honorable member for Ilford North failed to do.

The Prime Minister responded by referencing record investment in the NHS to clear up the mess left by previous governments. He then brought up the Reform candidate for Makerfield, describing him as a self-professed sexist who said women who get abortions do so for vanity purposes, encouraged people not to get the COVID vaccine, and said Russia would be within its rights to invade Crimea. Starmer concluded that Reform has nothing to offer but grievance and division yet again.

A later question from another MP returned the focus to Henry Nowak. The MP stated that the country is united in its horror at the tragic death and asked the Prime Minister to join in paying tribute to the courage of Henry’s family. The MP also called for recognition of serious mistakes made by the police and for lessons to be learned so that no family may face this tragedy again.

The Prime Minister thanked the MP for raising the case and said his thoughts were with Henry’s family, adding that the thoughts of the whole House and the whole country were with them. Starmer revealed he had watched the body cam footage, describing it as harrowing and saying that as a dad of a 17-year-old boy, he felt sick. He stated that Henry’s life had been stolen and that his family had responded with incredible dignity and bravery. The Prime Minister acknowledged that serious questions need to be addressed, including accusations of racism in informed decision-making in such cases. He reiterated Henry’s father’s words that his son’s death should not be used to create further division, hatred, or tension, and said the tragedy must not be hijacked by anyone who seeks to divide the country.

A subsequent question from another MP focused on the National Health Service, asking about better treatments for people suffering from memory loss. The MP referenced a constituent in Chattam Alsford who sought clarity on future Kent and Medway NHS funding, and made a pointed remark about the leader of Reform UK. The Prime Minister responded by stating that the Reform leader wants everyone to forget that he called for the NHS to be replaced with an insurance-based system. Starmer said the Reform leader had stated that if people can pay, they should pay for NHS treatment, and concluded that the public cannot trust Reform with the NHS and that the only way to protect it is to vote Labour.

Rosie Dfield then rose to speak, noting that less than 48 hours ago, the family of Henry Nowak stood on the steps of Southampton Crown Court and gave a courageous statement. She quoted the family saying they want to use Henry’s story to make change for the better and do not want his death to create further division, hatred, or tension. She asked the Prime Minister if he agreed that the violence whipped up on the streets of Southampton last night, the criminal damage to homes, and the injuries to 11 police officers were the total opposite of what Henry’s family clearly called for.

The Prime Minister thanked Dfield for her question and for the discussion they had that morning about the impact in Southampton. He described the attacks directed towards police officers last night as disgraceful and completely unacceptable, stating that there is no justification for further disorder.