Far-right figures and Elon Musk accused of exploiting UK teen murder for racist agenda
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence and the exploitation of the event, while Nowak’s father urged against using the death to create division.
Violent protests erupted in Southampton, UK, following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. Influential figures, including Elon Musk, Nick Fuentes, and Tommy Robinson, have been accused of exploiting the tragedy to promote anti-white racism narratives. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence and the exploitation of the event.
Police were attacked with rocks and flares outside Southampton Central Police Station, leading to arrests. Bodycam footage showed Henry Nowak handcuffed while dying, despite him stating he could not breathe and had been stabbed; a police officer heard replying, “Don't think you have, mate.” Digwa, a Sikh, was jailed for life on Monday after lying to police that he had been racially abused.
Elon Musk posted dozens of times in the last 24 hours, including an offer to fund the prosecution of police officers and a claim that “Official police policy requires them to be racist against whites.” Musk shared a video from Tommy Robinson calling for gatherings outside the police station. Reform Party leader Nigel Farage called for a response of “pure cold rage.”
Protesters were blocked from entering the street where Digwa lived with his family. Right-wing figures including Mike Cernovich, Matt Walsh, and Katie Miller amplified anti-white narratives, with some comparing Nowak’s death to that of George Floyd. Nick Fuentes called Nowak “the white George Floyd” and claimed Digwa should be executed.
This follows previous accusations in 2024 and 2023 that Musk and other far-right figures incited violence in the UK and Ireland. Nowak’s father urged against using the death to create further division or hatred.
