The Huffington Post
Cathy Newman and Zia Yusuf A member of Donald Trump’s administration has weighed in on Zia Yusuf ’s tense Sky News interview over the Henry Nowak murder. The 18-year-old student was stabbed repeatedly by Vickrum Digwa last December, who then told police attending the incident that he had been the victim of racism. As Henry lay dying on the ground, and despite telling the officers that he could not breathe and had been stabbed, he was handcuffed and arrested. Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years at Southampton Crown Court on Monday. Reform leader Nigel Farage controversially claimed the case was proof of “two-tier policing” in the UK, insisted: “White lives matter, too”, and called for “pure cold rage” from the public in response. Sky’s Cathy Newman asked Yusuf, who is Reform’s home affairs spokesperson, if he thought that was incitement from Farage. But he bizarrely deflected by asking what her emotional response to the bodycam footage from officers attending the scene of Nowak’s death. She said it was “heartbreaking” – but pointed out that his family have asked for Henry’s death not to be used for more division. When Yusuf asked again for the presenter’s response, she had to remind him: “I’m interviewing you!” The two then clashed over Reform’s repeated use of “white lives matter” as the senior politician continued to side-step direct questions about racism against Black and ethnic minorities from police. Yusuf eventually said it was “unacceptable for anyone to be discriminated against” – but went on to attack Newman for the “premise” of her questions. He also admitted that he has not spoken directly to Henry Nowak’s family, despite their requests for no political point scoring. Sarah B Rogers, the US under-secretary of state for public diplomacy, responded to a clip of their tense exchange on X – and took Yusuf’s side. Ignoring Farage’s call for “pure cold rage”, Rogers wrote: “I will answer Cathy’s question: stating effectively ‘this video should outrage you’ is nowhere near incitement under any lucid standard. “Moreover, it is true.” This is not the first time Rogers has weighed into UK rows , accusing the UK of parroting Russia for considering a ban on X, and mocking prime minister Keir Starmer and his then-chief of staff over Christmas. Newman later responded to the interview on X, writing: “Well that was fiery. Shame you couldn’t be on the sofa [Zia] but glad we got to chat (though I think you might have asked as many questions as I did!)” Subscribe to Commons People , the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Shabana Mahmood Condemns 'Violence And Disorder' At Henry Nowak Murder Protest Keir Starmer Accuses Nigel Farage Of 'Whipping Up' Division Over Henry Nowak Murder Farage Torn Apart For 'Dangerous And Un-British' Response To Henry Nowak's Murder
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