Today I have met Lucy, Mark and Katie, Henry Nowak’s mother, father and stepmother. Their courage is extraordinary.
They have endured the most appalling loss, it is a life sentence for them.
They have also faced the agonising decision to release the harrowing body-worn camera footage, knowing how painful it would be and how strongly people would react. They did so because they want truth, accountability and change.
They have asked that we work across political parties and religions to rebuild trust in the police. That trust has been broken because of what happened, and I agree with them on that.
We must also be prepared to examine, carefully and seriously, religious practices or exemptions that permit the carrying of dangerous weapons in public, and other activities that are not conducive to the public good. We also need to examine where the law needs to change.
Henry’s family do not want anger to tear communities apart. They are a family who have friends across faith and race, and so did Henry. His family want his memory to help bring our society together.
Everyone knows I have strong views about how we should deal with equality under the law. What the family agreed with me on is that we need to bring common sense back, and that is what we should all be fighting for.
I promised the family that we will work to ensure there is a positive legacy for Henry out of this tragedy.
That is my focus now.
@ShabanaMahmood@labourpress Stop gaslighting us, all you do is lie, lay blame elsewhere usually on Farage & the “far right” and then sit back and do sweet fa to make changes!
I’ve been a fan of @KemiBadenoch for years, and in recent weeks it’s become increasingly clear.
She’s the strongest Conservative leader since Margaret Thatcher.
Conviction, clarity, and fighting spirit.
We’d all be better off with her at the helm.
This is an exceptionally mature response from @KemiBadenoch
Whilst it is absolutely right that our hearts are filled with sorrow and rage at the unfairness of this horrific tragedy, at some point an actual politician is going to have to have an actual policy and legislative platform to mandate the glaringly obvious.
Politicians should leave the click baiting to the people and come up with a plan instead. @KemiBadenoch sees cultural issues from a nuanced perspective. I am always impressed when she speaks in this area.
And yes, the @Conservatives were the problem and many of them are terrible Lib Dems, but we would be remiss not to lend her our ears. She’s thought about this. She’s not reacting to it.
Every single human life is sacred and all
Lives matter.
It’s that simple.
@Keir_Starmer YOU'RE A DISGRACE!
You *TOOK THE KNEE* 15 DAYS after career criminal George Floyd died.
Henry was dying and said to police "I can't breathe". They laughed at him, put him in cuffs, watch him die and you said NOTHING until now!
Too little too late
RESIGN!
You disgusting man