Sir Keir Starmer has issued a direct attack on Nigel Farage, condemning the violence which broke out at a protest in Southampton over the police's handling of Henry Nowak’s murder and telling the British public this is "not the time to rage”.
Mr Farage yesterday issued an “emergency address to the nation” in which he said the only way Britons should respond to the killing is with "pure, cold rage".
During his opening remarks at PMQs today, in which he said Henry’s family had shown “extraordinary dignity”, the Prime Minister said there was “no justification” for the violence seen in the Hampshire port city.
He said: "But no matter the pain we feel, there is no justification for more violence and disorder.
The Prime Minister added: "The attacks directed towards police officers in Southampton last night were disgraceful and completely unacceptable.
"This is a time for serious work, not rage. Let me be clear.
"We will ensure that anyone found engaging in disorder meets the full force of the law, as we have done before."
He later responded to a direct question from Mr Farage on two-tier policing, saying: "I don’t believe there’s two-tier policing in this country and I am shocked that he pretends to have respect for Henry’s family and then acts in this way."
Keir Starmer has issued a direct attack on Nigel Farage
|PA
He added: “My response, and the response of others, has been focused on the lessons to be learned so we can deliver justice.
"His [Farage’s] response has been to appeal for rage. Rage. That’s his response to a father who’s lost his son and asked for that not to happen.
"Exploiting this tragedy to create grievance and division would be wrong in any circumstances, but to do it when the family is explicitly saying ‘please don’t’ is unforgivable. It shows exactly who he is."
The Prime Minister started the session by acknowledging the 18-year-old teenager's murder before condemning the unrest in Southampton in response.
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Nigel Farage yesterday issued an 'emergency address to the nation' in which he said the only way Britons should respond to the killing is with 'pure, cold rage'
|PA
He said: "Henry Nowak's family have shown extraordinary dignity after their son's life was stolen in appalling circumstances.
"He was clearly a kind and thoughtful and much-loved young man.
"There are serious questions to answer, including how accusations of racism informed police thinking, and we're supporting the IOPC to get to the bottom of what happened.
"The attacks directed towards police officers in Southampton last night were disgraceful and completely unacceptable. This is a time for serious work, not rage."
Over a thousand protesters have gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station to demand that action be taken after the murder of Henry Nowak | GETTYCrowds gathered outside Southampton Central Police Station at around 6pm on Tuesday evening to hold a minute's silence for the slain teenager, with shouts of "shame on you" and "I can't breathe" also being heard.
Protesters, including members of the Polish community, urged police to "take the knee" and shouted, "I can't breathe".
Local authorities also deployed pepper spray after officers were allegedly hit by objects thrown.
Social media footage appeared to show a group of protesters throwing bins at police.
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