Experts have dismissed Nigel Farage’s assertion that white individuals are now facing unequal treatment in policing, stating that data indicates the opposite scenario.

The leader of Reform UK has faced criticism for his controversial comments following the murder of Henry Nowak. Farage’s party has pledged to discard police race action plans aimed at enhancing policing for Black communities if they come into power.

Justice Secretary David Lammy rejected the notion of a two-tier policing system in the UK, denouncing it as a misrepresentation. The US State Department, under Donald Trump, also weighed in on the issue, labeling two-tier policing as a sign of societal decay.

Citing Ministry of Justice statistics, experts highlighted the overrepresentation of minority ethnic groups within the criminal justice system. A report released by the MOJ in November revealed that Black and other ethnic minority offenders faced higher probabilities of imprisonment compared to white offenders. Disparities in sentencing for drug-related offenses were also noted.

Home Office figures indicated that the use of force was 3.3 times more prevalent for Black suspects than their white counterparts in the year leading up to March 2025.

Dr. Shabna Begum, CEO of the anti-racism organization Runnymede Trust, accused Farage of promoting false narratives. She emphasized the disproportionate harm experienced by people of color, particularly Black individuals, in interactions with the police.

According to MOJ data, white defendants received shorter average custodial sentences compared to Asian, Black, and mixed-race offenders. Black offenders also served a higher percentage of their original sentences compared to other ethnic groups.

A 2023 report by Inquest revealed that Black individuals were seven times more likely than White individuals to die following police contact. The tragic death of Henry Nowak has sparked public outrage and raised questions about the impact of anti-racism guidelines on police responses.

Dr. Begum criticized the politicization of Henry’s death to push claims of discrimination against white people by the police, calling it dishonest and harmful to the grieving family. She stressed the need for evidence-based discussions on policing reforms.

Samira Ali of Stand Up to Racism condemned Farage’s rhetoric for inciting further tension and empowering far-right groups. She dismissed the notion of “two-tier policing” as a falsehood used to justify racism, emphasizing ongoing disparities faced by Black and Asian individuals in police interactions.

Mr. Lammy, in a statement to BBC Radio 4, refuted the notion of a two-tier policing system in the country, stating that it did not align with his experiences. The US State Department expressed condolences to Henry Nowak’s family and the UK, condemning ideological conditioning and advocating against two-tier policing as signs of societal decline.