British PM urges calm after protests over handcuffed Henry Nowak's death

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned violent protests over the death of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak.

Mr Nowak was handcuffed by police as he lay dying after his killer falsely alleged a racist attack.

His death has spurred claims by far-right activists and politicians that there is bias against white people in the justice system.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned violent protests over the case of an 18-year-old who was handcuffed as he lay dying after his killer falsely alleged a racist attack.

The murder of student Henry Nowak last year has dominated headlines in Britain since his Sikh killer was sentenced on Monday.

Video of officers ignoring the pleas of a dying, innocent man has sparked a political storm about how police treat ‌different ethnicities.

"There is no justification for more violence and disorder," Sir Keir said on Wednesday, after protesters clashed with police and injured 11 officers in the city of Southampton, close to where Mr Nowak was killed.

"This is a time for serious work, not rage," he added in a direct rebuff to the leader of ‌the right-wing anti-immigration Reform Party, Nigel Farage.

Sir Keir Starmer says there is no justification for violence and disorder. (Reuters: Isabel Infantes)

Mr Farage had called for people to respond to Mr Nowak's murder with "pure cold rage", and told parliament that the anger on show in Southampton could spread if people lost faith with the police.

In ‌the attack last December, Mr Nowak's killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, lied to police, saying that Mr Nowak had racially abused ‌and assaulted him during a brief altercation in the street.

In police body cam footage, Mr Nowak is seen lying on the ground saying, "I've been stabbed" and "I can't breathe" as he's being handcuffed, while an officer responds, "I don't think you have, mate."

Henry Nowak's family say his death should not be "used to create further division, hatred or tension". (Reuters: Isabel Infantes)

Court pathologists found that Mr Nowak would have died of his injuries at the scene regardless of the emergency response.

Mr Nowak's family called ‌his treatment by police "inhumane and degrading" but said after the sentencing that his death should not be "used to create further division, hatred or tension".

"We all need to reflect on those words of Henry's father," Sir Keir said, adding that he did not believe there was "two-tier policing" in Britain.

In recent years, Mr Farage, along with others on the right, including US ‌billionaire Elon Musk, have said that efforts to ‌promote diversity,