UK government condemns violence at protest over teen’s stabbing death

Britain’s interior minister accused activists of hijacking a tragedy to stir up violence after police were attacked at a protest over the death of a teenager who was handcuffed as he lay dying while his killer stood nearby.

Police were pelted with chairs, cans, rocks and flares late Tuesday by some of the hundreds who attended a protest in the English south coast city of Southampton, where Henry Nowak was killed in December.

His death has triggered debates about policing and knife crime, and has spurred claims by far-right activists and politicians that there is bias against white people in the justice system.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Tuesday night’s violence was “completely unacceptable.”