Henry Nowak (L) and Vickrum Digwa (R)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of “trying to whip up division” in Britain in the aftermath of public anger over the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was stabbed by 23-year-old Sikh man Vickrum Singh Digwa in Southampton.Speaking during a visit to Yorkshire, Starmer said the UK must “assert who we are as a country,” adding that external voices were attempting to inflame tensions. He stressed that Britain remained a “reasonable and tolerant” society and urged calm in response to the case.“We need to also assert who we are as a country, because Musk, again, has been interfering in our politics in the last few days, trying to whip up division. That is not who we are in Britain,” Starmer was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. The remarks come amid controversy over Musk’s recent social media activity on X, where he has repeatedly commented on the Nowak case.His posts have reportedly amplified narratives around alleged bias in the UK justice system, sparking criticism from political leaders who accuse him of deepening communal tensions and influencing domestic debate from abroad. Labour MP Rupert Lowe, who has also been vocal about the case, supported Musk and said Starmer “hates Musk because he’s given the British people a true free speech platform.” The case centres on the killing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton in December. He was killed by Vickrum Digwa, a case that has since sparked wider debate on policing, knife crime and handling of hate-related claims.Reports have also raised questions over initial police response at the scene, including criticism that the victim was briefly restrained while officers assessed the situation before the severity of his injuries became clear.The case has sparked protests in parts of the UK, with rallies turning violent in some areas. Demonstrations linked to “Justice for Henry Nowak” saw clashes with police, with officers injured and arrests made.Far-right activists, including figures such as Tommy Robinson, have addressed some of the gatherings, while authorities have accused certain groups of exploiting the tragedy to stoke unrest.Earlier in the day, Digwa appeared in court alongside his father and brother over separate allegations involving weapons offences.
