Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham intervenes in the controversy surrounding the death of Henry Nowak, urging politicians to respect the family's wishes as the two-tier policing debate intensifies ahead of the Makerfield by-election.
Andy Burnham is today poised to enter the furious row over alleged two-tier policing following the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak . The Greater Manchester mayor and Labour by-election candidate will set out his full response on Thursday, after urging politicians to respect the wishes of Nowak's family who warned his death should not be used to create further division or hatred.
Burnham's intervention comes amid growing national controversy over the handling of the case, which has sparked accusations of institutional bias and political exploitation. Bodycam footage released last week showed Nowak repeatedly telling police officers that he had been stabbed and could not breathe, yet they continued to handcuff him as he lay dying. The teenager was killed by Vickrum Digwa, who falsely claimed Nowak had racially abused him.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage seized on the footage as evidence of a two-tier culture, urging the public to respond with pure cold rage. His comments drew criticism from opponents who accused him of stoking racial tensions, particularly after riots in nearby Southampton following the murder in December. The political battle has intensified ahead of the Makerfield by-election on June 18, where Burnham is standing for Labour in a bid to return to the House of Commons.
He has called the contest the most consequential of our lives and hinted at challenging Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he wins. Burnham posted on X that what happened to Henry is distressing and deeply troubling, and that he had spoken to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police to develop a considered response. He is also due to appear on a BBC Question Time special alongside Reform candidate Robert Kenyon.
The controversy has overshadowed Prime Minister's Questions, where Starmer clashed with Farage over the issue. Burnham urged all politicians to hear and respect the words of Nowak's family, who have shown immense dignity. The family's statement warned against using the tragedy for political gain, a plea that has not stopped both sides from leveraging the case to advance their narratives.
Critics argue that the row reflects deeper problems of trust in policing and racial inequality, while supporters of Reform see it as confirming their view of a broken system. As the by-election approaches, the debate over policing, race, and political accountability is likely to intensify. Burnham's stance is seen as a delicate balancing act between condemning the apparent failures in Nowak's case and avoiding inflaming tensions further.
His response on Thursday will be closely watched, not only for its impact on the by-election but for its potential to reshape the national conversation on justice and policing. The incident has already prompted calls for an independent inquiry into the conduct of the officers involved, as well as broader reviews of training and procedures for handling stabbing victims.
In the meantime, the Nowak family continues to mourn the loss of their son, whose death has been thrust into the centre of a political storm they never sought. Their plea for unity and respect remains a fragile counterpoint to the charge and counter-charge between the main parties. Whether Burnham can navigate this minefield while maintaining his challenge to Starmer remains to be seen, but his entry into the fray signals that the two-tier policing row is far from over
Andy Burnham Two-Tier Policing Henry Nowak Reform UK By-Election
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