Keir Starmer slams Elon Musk for stirring ‘division’ over Henry Nowak murder

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has criticized Elon Musk for inciting “division” over the tragic murder of Henry Nowak.

Violent protests have erupted in Southampton as the footage of a police bodycam was released, showing how mercilessly officers handcuffed Nowak, 18, as he lay dying.

The deadly assault on Nowak was carried out by Vickrum Digwa, a 23-year-old Sikh man who has previously claimed he was the target of a racist attack.

The fractious demonstrations driven by unsettling mishandling of Nowak at the hands of police officers drew reactions from various figures.

Musk, X owner, criticized the police’s handling of the teenager in a post on the platform last December.

In response to criticism, Starmer accused Musk of “whipping up divisions” in a recent interview.

“Musk has once again been interfering in our politics in the last few days, trying to whip up division. That is not who we are in Britain. In Britain, we are reasonable, tolerant people,” Starmer asserted.

"When we have a terrible case like Henry's case, Henry Nowak, we react calmly, as his family have done."

The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch met with Nowak’s family on Thursday morning and has issued a public appeal for calm.

Taking to X, she said, “They have endured the most appalling loss, it is a life sentence for them. They have also faced the agonising decision to release the harrowing body-worn camera footage, knowing how painful it would be and how strongly people would react. They did so because they want truth, accountability and change.”

“Henry’s family do not want anger to tear communities apart. They are a family who have friends across faith and race, and so did Henry. His family wants his memory to help bring our society together.”

She continued, "I promised the family that we will work to ensure there is a positive legacy for Henry out of this tragedy. That is my focus now."

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet with the family at Downing Street this afternoon.