British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has criticized Elon Musk for interfering in UK politics after the billionaire amplified misleading claims regarding the 2025 stabbing death of Henry Nowak in Southampton.
The Murder of Henry Nowak
As reported by Gazeta.pl, Henry Nowak, a British citizen of Polish descent, was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December 2025. Investigations revealed that his killer, Vickrum Digwa, falsely accused Nowak of a racially motivated assault when police arrived at the scene, leading officers to arrest the victim.
Nowak, 18, repeatedly stated he could not breathe and had been stabbed, but officers ignored his pleas. Following the public release of the bodycam footage on June 1, riots erupted in Southampton as demonstrators condemned the conduct of the police officers seen in the recording.
Musk’s Allegations Against Police
On Tuesday, Elon Musk posted on X, claiming the police treated Nowak cruelly and cowardly bowed to his murderer. He further alleged that mainstream media outlets, which extensively covered George Floyd, were silent on the Nowak case. However, this claim is factually incorrect; British media had reported on the murder verdict days prior, and the BBC had been covering the trial since May 14.
Musk also shared numerous other posts, including anti-immigration content, claims regarding racism against white people, promotion of the far-right Advance UK party, and praise for the death penalty in Pakistan.
Starmer’s Response to Interference
During a visit to Yorkshire on Thursday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the situation. He stated that the country must define its identity, accusing Musk of interfering in British politics and attempting to stir up divisions.
Starmer urged the British public to remain united, describing the population as reasonable and tolerant. He noted that the family of Henry Nowak responded to this difficult situation with calm, and he hoped the broader public would do the same.
Police Investigation and Response
After the footage of the Southampton intervention was published, Keir Starmer labeled the video as monstrous. The local police force apologized for the incident, confirming that the attacker had misled officers.
Authorities have since issued a statement condemning a surge of online disinformation and threats directed at police officers. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is currently investigating the circumstances of the intervention.
