Minister criticises police anti-racism guidance following riot over Henry Nowak death – UK politics live

<p>Sarah Jones appeals for calm after rioting over the death of Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wound</p><p>Hampshire police have said 11 officers and one police dog were injured in the violent clashes last night between its officers and protesters near where Henry Nowak was stabbed to death in Southampton.</p><p>In a statement, the chief constable, <strong>Alexis Boon</strong>, said:</p><p>We understand and appreciate as police officers that we are accountable for our actions. What we ask, however, is that those actions are judged through fair and transparent processes. In this case, that process is already underway with the IOPC conducting their independent investigation.</p><p>What we, as a society, cannot accept is the violent scenes we saw in Southampton last night.</p><p>I know that since the release of the body-worn video footage from the night of Henry Nowak’s murder, there is a desire for answers and accountability but that must be done in the right way and not used as an excuse to threaten and intimidate my officers and bring violence to our streets causing fear and harm to those living and working in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.</p><p>Yes, a lot needs to be fixed. But Farage was completely wrong to say that the ‘rights and privileges of white people matter less than those of ethnic minorities’.</p><p>This is simply the language of the Black Lives Matter movement in reverse – inflaming tensions, emphasising difference. It is toxic tribal politics that divides our country.</p><p>We will have to sweep out a lot of the historic, incoherent nonsense that has been brought in under the guise of anti-racism.</p><p>Notions of ‘white privilege’ and forcing ‘decolonisation’ narratives down the throats of children is not how we build a cohesive society.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/03/henry-nowak-southampton-riot-labour-keir-starmer-police-uk-politics-latest-news">Continue reading...</a>