Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused Elon Musk of 'interfering in our politics' and attempting to 'whip up division' over the murder of teenager Henry Nowak in Southampton last year.
In a significant toughening of government language, Mr Starmer said Britons are 'reasonable, tolerant people' and condemned the X owner's repeated posts about the case, many of which have used far-right themes. The Prime Minister also backed an MP's legal action against Musk's company Grok over fake sexualised images.
“PM Keir Starmer says Elon Musk is 'interfering in our politics' and 'whipping up division' over the murder of teenager Henry Nowak, as an inquest is set to determine if police actions led to his death.”
Henry Nowak, a teenager, was stabbed to death with a ceremonial knife by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton in 2025. Since the murder, Elon Musk has posted numerous times on his social media platform criticising the police treatment of Henry Nowak, drawing criticism from Downing Street and the policing watchdog.
Nigel Farage has also commented on the case, leading to a protest that turned into violence on the streets of Southampton on Tuesday night. The Prime Minister accused Mr Farage of exploiting Henry Nowak's death, while the BBC was forced into an apology over a Newsnight row about Mr Farage's comments.
The UK's policing watchdog has urged people to stop speculating about the murder, warning that unfounded claims could harm the investigation and cause further distress to the family. An inquest is to determine whether police actions led to the teenager's death.
Sir Keir Starmer is due to meet Henry Nowak's parents for private talks in Downing Street later, amid a public outcry over the treatment of the family and the handling of the case.
The row has reignited debate about the role of social media in British politics, with the government facing pressure to strengthen regulation of online platforms.
What This Means For You The case has raised concerns about the spread of misinformation on social media and the potential for online rhetoric to spill over into real-world violence. For homeowners and renters in Southampton, the violent protest on Tuesday night may heighten fears about community safety. Workers and families may be affected by increased police presence and potential disruption. The government's response could lead to tighter controls on social media platforms, impacting how users engage with political content. The inquest into Henry Nowak's death may also have implications for police accountability and the handling of similar cases.