Rupert Lowe Condemns Reform UK's Attack Ad on Kemi Badenoch Over Henry Nowak Murder
In a pointed social media statement on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Rupert Lowe MP, leader of Restore Britain, sharply criticised Reform UK for what he described as a "deeply misguided, ugly and offensive" attack advertisement targeting Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. The ad centres on the tragic murder of 18-year-old University of Southampton student Henry Nowak. It makes him look like hes part of the Conservative Party.
The Tragic Case of Henry Nowak
Henry Nowak was stabbed to death on December 3, 2025, in Southampton while walking home alone after a night out with friends. His killer, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, stabbed him five times with a 21cm blade that Digwa claimed he carried as part of his Sikh faith. When police arrived, Digwa falsely accused the dying teen of racial abuse and assault, claiming Nowak had knocked off his turban. Officers handcuffed Nowak as he lay bleeding and begging for help, delaying medical attention. Bodycam footage released after Digwa's sentencing showed the harrowing scene, sparking widespread outrage over policing failures.
Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years on June 1, 2026. The case has ignited debates about knife crime, two-tier policing, and the handling of racial allegations in emergencies.
Lowe's Strong RebukeLowe, a former Reform UK MP who now leads Restore Britain and is competing against Badenoch in the Makerfield constituency, emphasised his political differences with her while rejecting the exploitation of the tragedy:
"A young British man was murdered. He died cuffed and begging for his life, alone in the street. To weaponise his death, so vindictively, in order to make a viciously deceitful graphic attacking a political opponent is low. I would never manipulate the death of an innocent young man to score petty party political points... It’s just not how we conduct ourselves in Britain. Principles still matter, or at least they should."
Kemi Badenoch never criticises Restore Britain, nor does Rupert Lowe and Restore attack each other.
Restore Britain and Rupert only attacks Reform Party Nigel Farage.
Reactions and Broader Context Lowe's intervention has drawn mixed responses. Some praise it as a principled stand against low politics, while others accuse him of defending Conservatives or undermining right-wing unity ahead of elections. The incident highlights tensions on the British right, with Reform UK positioning itself as the voice for "two-tier Britain" concerns, and rivals like Lowe and Badenoch advocating measured responses focused on the victim and systemic issues rather than partisan attacks.
Henry Nowak's family has called for an end to knife crime and better protections, adding poignancy to the political fallout. As the story continues to unfold, it underscores ongoing debates about crime, policing, immigration, and how public tragedies are used — or misused — in Britain's polarised political landscape.
See what Gork says about this article:
