Police ‘must treat everyone equally regardless of ethnicity’ – Downing Streetpublished at 13:20 BST
13:20 BST
Downing Street has said the police “must treat everyone equally regardless of ethnicity”, following the case of Henry Nowak, but insists “there’s no such thing as two-tier policing.”
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said it was “absolutely right” that the IOPC investigation looks at the police response, and this “must be done as quickly as possible and make sure answers are delivered.”
“It’s an awful, shocking and harrowing case that’s clearly affected not just the family of Henry Nowak and the community around him but the nation as well.”
It is understood the prime minister has watched the footage several times.
Downing Street said the government was not looking at the rules around the exception of ceremonial knives on religious grounds.
The spokesperson said there are “longstanding legal protections in place” for Sikhs, but the laws are very clear that “any bladed item used to threaten or harm others are illegal.”