Labour denies two-tier policing exists as Home Secretary makes statement | Politics | News

Shabana Mahmood insisted police officers must treat everyone equally as anger intensifies over the murder of Henry Nowak. The Minister of Internal Affairs called for calm and said, “I do not think it would be beneficial for us to pit the majority or minority communities against each other.”

The reform comes after UK leader Nigel Farage claimed the case showed “white people’s rights are less important than the rights of ethnic minorities”. But Downing Street claimed there was “no such thing as two-tier policing”.

And Labor Home Secretary Ms Mahmood said: “In all these matters, in terms of how we deal with our public services and how they assess risk, the only important factor is the risk posed by the individual, not their race or religion or anything else.

“And we will not tolerate a situation where other irrelevant factors are taken into account.

“I repeat once again, everyone is equal before the law and every public service must keep this in mind.”

Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 21 years, for stabbing 18-year-old Henry with a ceremonial knife.

And Digwa claimed he was the victim of racist abuse. Police body camera footage shows officers handcuffing Mr. Nowak and ignoring allegations that he had been stabbed, with one even telling him, “I don’t think you have a friend.”

Henry Nowak told officers he was stabbed four times and couldn’t breathe nine times.

“I think he [shadow home secretary Chris Philp] I acknowledge here a history and context regarding racism and policing.

“No matter what changes are made, it is important that no one overcorrects or overcorrects in such a way that all of us as citizens are no longer equal before the law.

“And this Government will always ensure that they fulfill their sacred duty to keep our communities safe, that the police always act without fear or favour, and that every citizen is treated equally.”

Referring to the body camera footage, the Home Secretary said: “This is undoubtedly a disturbing and tragic thing. “People are rightly asking questions about how the situation was handled and are shocked and uneasy when they hear Henry’s words: “I can’t breathe.”

“I know it’s hard to wait any longer for answers.”

Reform UK Nigel Farage has warned that “the rights and privileges of white people are less important than those of ethnic minorities” as anger erupted over police handling of the murder of Henry Nowak.

Mr Farage said the victim, Mr Nowak, “was treated in a way that essentially meant that the charge of racial slurs was to be taken more seriously than an act of murder”.

Shocking body camera footage released by Hampshire Constabulary late on Monday night revealed the true horror of the case.

Digwa’s family is seen surrounding Henry, telling police that he “kept falling” and had “a mouth full of blood”.

Officers then asked Digwa what had happened before asking if “anyone other than himself” had been injured. Digwa grumbled about “swollen eyes”.

Then he dragged Henry, who collapsed, on the gravel and said, “Let’s get you out of there, okay?”

The male officer then asked his colleague “can you hold your other arm?”

The 18-year-old later told officers he had been stabbed before an officer responded: “I don’t think so, mate.”

Henry is then handcuffed and tells them repeatedly, “I can’t breathe.”

Finally, a female police officer asked Henry, who was now handcuffed, “Where do you think you were stabbed?” he asks. before telling his colleague, “we need to check, don’t we?”

He eventually called an ambulance after realizing “his pupils weren’t even responding.”

The footage, which lasts about three minutes, ends with the arresting officer asking Henry’s name before reading him his rights.

Ms Mahmood said: “Henry, just 18, was a first-year university student with his life ahead of him. He was kind, hard-working and loved by his family and friends.

“His murder at the hands of Vickrum Digwa was a horrific act. Digwa killed Henry and then lied about him as he lay dying, falsely accusing him of racism.

“I know that the thoughts of the whole House will now be with Henry’s family and friends, as are mine.

“What they went through is heartbreaking and unimaginable for most of us. I know nothing can ease their pain and loss, but yesterday we saw a measure of justice delivered. Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment. He will serve at least 21 years in prison.”

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called on everyone to unite around a common British culture and demanded an end to “tribalism”.

And he said, “We’re multiracial, yes, but we need to stop using race as a way to define the laws… Let’s treat everyone equally.”

Ms Mahmood told MPs: “Police in this country have a sacred duty to police without fear or favour. In this country, everyone is equal before the law. This is the promise on which our entire justice system is based, and the equality of every citizen is the foundation on which this country’s openness, tolerance and generosity rest.”

He continued: “Threats against police officers are completely unacceptable. No intimidation, harassment or attempts to take the law into one’s own hands can be justified. A police officer unrelated to this incident was misidentified online and subjected to death threats. He was forced to move elsewhere to protect himself and his family.

“Misinformation and inflammatory comments are making the terrible situation worse. We must condemn this together.”