NIGEL Farage has been called out for "stoking hate" after suggesting the British public should respond with "pure cold rage" to the treatment of murdered student Henry Nowak.
Mr Nowak was killed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa on December 3 last year. The 18-year-old student was handcuffed as he lay dying after being fatally stabbed.
Digwa, who was jailed for life on Monday for stabbing Mr Nowak with a 21cm blade, had told police at the scene he had been the victim of a racist attack.
Mr Nowak's dad said outside court on Monday that he did not want Henry's murder "to be used to create further hatred, division or tension".
But Farage said in a video statement on Tuesday the treatment of Mr Nowak was evidence of a “two-tier culture".
He added: "Henry’s family have responded to this in just the most extraordinarily dignified way.
“But I suggest the rest of us respond to this with pure cold rage."
He said there needed to be an end to “anti-white prejudice” and a recognition that “white lives matter just as much as black lives”. In a social media post ahead of the statement he said "white lives matter too".
Farage has been condemned for the language he has used with people on social media saying he is "stoking hate".
We are living in two-tier Britain where the rights and privileges of white people matter less than those of ethnic minorities. pic.twitter.com/e7EpE1kQrm
— Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) June 2, 2026
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: “This is a horrific tragedy, and first and foremost our thoughts must be with Henry Nowak’s family and loved ones. They deserve justice, answers and respect as they face unimaginable grief."
She added: “Grief and anger should never be weaponised. Political leaders have a responsibility to choose words carefully, especially at moments of pain and tension.
“Language that risks inflaming hatred or turning communities against each other helps no one.”
Writer Otto English posted on BlueSky: "He's quoting Kanye West to score points and stir up trouble over a truly horrible case that resulted in the death of a young man.
"I hope it all backfires horribly for this poor excuse of a politician."
Former prosecutor within the Crown Prosecution Service, Nazir Afzal, added on Twitter/X: "Henry Nowak’s murder is first & foremost a human tragedy. His killer was convicted & lessons for policing need to be learnt & quickly
"Is there a crime that Farage won’t exploit for political ends? Apart from that mate of his, Nathan Gill, convicted of bribery for promoting Russia."
Another BlueSky user said: "While the police initially made a terrible mistake in handcuffing Henry Nowak despite his serious stab wound, it cannot be said the authorities did not care about his death: His attacker was prosecuted for murder. Nigel Farage is stoking hate and racism by suggesting otherwise."
"His 'address to the nation' was him fulfilling his side of the bargain he made with his paymasters to spread hate and divide our nation," another user said.
The family of killer Digwa has apologised to the family of Mr Nowak and for bringing the Sikh community into “disrepute”.
In a statement issued through Sikh Press Association, the family said: "The loss of a young life is a grief that no family should ever have to carry. We are deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the Nowak family has had to endure.
"We apologise to the Sikh community for our son’s actions which have unfairly brought the community into disrepute."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Farage of "grandstanding" and "reinforcing the difference".
She told Good Morning Britain "we are descending into tribalism" and that Farage's intervention had angered her.
She said: 'I don't want to hear about black lives matter. I don't want to hear about white lives matter. We all matter. Enough of this nonsense where we keep separating everybody and splitting people into different groups. We are descending into tribalism."
Former Tory chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng also told ITV Farage was politicising Mr Nowak's death.
"I thought Henry's father was very dignified yesterday when he said we shouldn't politicise the death of his son," he said.
"I think Nigel is doing that."
Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has accused Reform UK and Restore Britain of politicising pain and using the Sikh community as a “scapegoat”.
The MP for Slough said he was “deeply saddened by the murder of Henry Nowak”.
He continued: “What’s very galling is that the likes of Reform, Restore, and the far-right decided to politicise people’s pain, attacking the Sikh community for wearing the kirpan and wanting it banned, even though the kirpan was not used in this violent attack.
“And they’ve decided to scapegoat and throw under the bus an entire community based on the actions of one violent murderer.”
He added: “Hundreds of thousands of Sikh soldiers bravely fought alongside British soldiers during both world wars, tens of thousands made the ultimate sacrifice proudly wearing their turban and their kirpan.
“So, what reassurances can the Home Secretary give to the Sikh community, which is both horrified and ashamed at this brutal murder? And they are fearful of their right to freely and peacefully practice their faith.”
Body-worn camera footage from the incident appeared to show Mr Nowak, who had received two stab wounds on the back his legs and a fatal wound to his heart, pleading, “I’ve been stabbed” while being handcuffed.
In the footage released by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary on Monday night, a police officer arriving at the scene can be heard asking: “What’s your name, mate?” before Mr Nowak, who is lying on his back on the ground, faintly replies: “Henry.”
Digwa then steps into the frame claiming Mr Nowak had taken his turban off and grabbed him by the hair.
The officer asks Digwa: “Are you injured?” to which Digwa replies: “Yeah, yeah, I’ve got a swollen eye here, a little bruise here.”
Officers then turn to Mr Nowak who can be heard grunting and repeating “I’ve been stabbed” and then “I can’t breathe” while he is made to sit up to be handcuffed.
The officer can be heard asking: “You’ve been stabbed, whereabouts?” before adding: “Don’t think you have, mate.”
The officer can be heard saying: “He says he’s been stabbed, so let’s just check him” and appears to briefly lift his shirt around the belt area before Mr Nowak is left to lie on his side.
A female officer can then be heard asking: “Where do you think he’s been stabbed? In the face?” to which a male voice replies: “He hasn’t been stabbed.”
Mr Nowak, who seems unresponsive, is then told he is being arrested for assault.
