Farage Accuses Police of Two-Tier Policing at PMQs Over Nowak Case

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage used Prime Minister's Questions to press the government over what he characterized as two-tier policing in Britain, citing police anti-racism guidance that he claimed mandates differential treatment based on ethnicity. Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected the accusation, instead criticizing Farage for weaponizing a recent tragedy involving the death of Henry Nowak and the subsequent disorder in Southampton.

Farage's Two-Tier Policing Claim

Farage directed his parliamentary question toward police commitments outlined in the Police Anti-Racism Commitment document, a values-based framework published last year under the broader Police Race Action Plan. The document addresses equality of policing outcomes, stating that achieving such equality "does not mean treating everyone 'the same' or being 'colour blind.'" Instead, it emphasizes responding to individuals and communities according to their specific needs, circumstances, and experiences.

Farage asserted that these guidelines constitute written instructions requiring police officers to treat different ethnic groups differently. He linked his concern to public anger surrounding Nowak's death and the subsequent unrest in Southampton, suggesting the policing approach fueled grievance among the population. His question called on Starmer to end what he termed a "divisive practice of two-tier policing" and ensure all British citizens receive equal treatment.

Starmer's Response and Family Concerns

Starmer flatly rejected Farage's characterization, stating: "I don't believe there's two-tier policing in this country." He pivoted his response to criticize Farage's approach to the Nowak case, noting that the grieving family had explicitly requested that the tragedy not be exploited for political purposes. Starmer emphasized that Henry Nowak's father had made a direct plea to avoid using the death as a vehicle for division and grievance.

The Prime Minister contrasted his own focus on extracting lessons and delivering justice with what he described as Farage's appeal for rage. Starmer characterized Farage's actions as "unforgivable" given the family's express wishes, stating that exploiting the tragedy under such circumstances revealed fundamental aspects of his character and approach to politics.

Background on the Police Anti-Racism Document

The Police Anti-Racism Commitment originated from the Police Race Action Plan announced in 2020 and first published in 2022. The framework was developed in response to policing's historical difficulties with Black communities, drawing on references to the murder of George Floyd and findings from the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. The National Police Chiefs' Council characterizes the document as setting out the overarching ambition for a police service that is anti-racist and trusted by Black communities. Following recent criticism from shadow home secretary Chris Philp, the NPCC announced it would review the language used in the document, though Policing Minister Sarah Jones emphasized it functions as a values document rather than a training manual.