Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of attempting to incite division within Britain concerning the murder of Henry Nowak. The accusation comes in the wake of violent protests in Southampton that erupted after bodycam footage was released showing police attending to the 18-year-old Nowak as he was dying. Nowak was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in December 2025. Digwa had previously claimed he was the victim of a racist attack.

Musk had posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, urging his followers to share the video depicting Nowak's final moments. He criticized the police's treatment of Nowak and suggested mainstream media outlets were silent, drawing a parallel to the extensive coverage of George Floyd's death. "Send the video to everyone you know showing how heinously Nowak was treated by the police in his dying moments and how the police cravenly kowtowed to his murderer," Musk wrote.

In response, Sir Keir, speaking during a visit to York on Thursday, stated that Musk's actions constituted interference in British politics. "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 said. He emphasized that in Britain, people are "reasonable, tolerant" and react calmly to tragic events, citing the example of Nowak's family.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also addressed the situation, posting on X that she had met with Nowak's mother, father, and stepmother on Thursday morning. She commended their courage and highlighted their appeal for cross-party and interfaith cooperation to rebuild trust in the police. "They have asked that we work across political parties and religions to rebuild trust in the police. That trust has been broken because of what happened, and I agree with them on that," Badenoch wrote.

Badenoch also suggested a need to examine religious practices or exemptions that permit the carrying of weapons in public, and other activities deemed not conducive to the public good. This remark appears to touch upon aspects of the case or related societal discussions that were not detailed in the provided source material but indicate a broader societal debate.

The release of the bodycam footage has indeed sparked significant political reaction and public discourse. The circumstances surrounding Nowak's death, his killer's claims, and the subsequent police actions captured on video have become a focal point for discussions on policing, race, and community relations.

Sir Keir is scheduled to meet with Nowak's family later on Thursday at Downing Street, underscoring the government's engagement with the issue. The Prime Minister's comments suggest a desire to control the narrative and prevent external influence from exacerbating tensions within the UK.

Musk's direct engagement with a sensitive domestic incident in the UK marks a notable instance of a prominent global figure influencing local political discourse through social media platforms. The differing perspectives from political leaders highlight the complexities of managing public reaction to such events, especially when amplified by international figures.