Three more charged after Southampton protests over Henry Nowak murder | UK news

Three more people have been charged with violent disorder following protests over the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton earlier this week.

Connor Bishop, 24, from Southampton; Reece Robinson, 21, of Havant; Noah Etherington, 18, from Havant, will appear at Southampton magistrates’ court on Friday morning, Hampshire police said.

Protests took place in December after 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old Nowak. Anger erupted after police released body-worn video footage showing Nowak being handcuffed moments before he lost consciousness and then died from stab wounds.

The treatment of the Essex student has triggered a political debate; The prime minister urged politicians to heed calls from the teenager’s relatives “not to use the case to create chaos”.

Violent protests broke out near where the student was fatally stabbed. Digwa had told police he was the victim of a racist attack, and Nowak was handcuffed by police who ignored his pleas that he couldn’t breathe.

Starmer met Nowak’s family on Thursday and said he was “extremely humbled” to have a private meeting with them in Downing Street.

He urged the nation to choose unity over hatred, adding that Nowak “deserves a legacy that goes beyond this terrible tragedy.”

On Thursday, Starmer said Nigel Farage’s response – that Nowak’s murder should be met with “outrage” – was inexcusable and the Reform leader was accused by other politicians of stoking racial tensions.

Farage responded to the criticism by saying he condemned “all forms of violence” and agreed to meet Nowak’s family.