Keir Starmer slammed by his own MPs for reaction to Henry Nowak's murder

Labour backbenchers have turned on Sir Keir Starmer, accusing the Prime Minister of failing to respond swiftly enough to the killing of Henry Nowak.

Critics within his own party say the government was caught out while Reform UK's Nigel Farage and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch issued statements shortly after Vickrum Digwa was sentenced for the 18-year-old student's murder.

One Labour MP told The Times: "There's a sense among colleagues that the government wasn't quite aware of how big this case was.

"We weren't speedy enough to get on the front foot and we have once again fallen into the same trap that Farage and Co lay us which makes us look as though we have downplayed it."

Another backbencher added: "It's a pattern that sums up this Government. It doesn't seem to smell danger and then when danger hits us we are too slow to react."

A Government source defended the administration's handling of events, insisting: "It's incredibly important we respond to these events with dignity, calmness and empathy and not rush into a knee-jerk reaction."

Sir Keir met with Henry's parents and stepmother at Downing Street on Thursday afternoon, describing himself as "profoundly humbled" by the private discussion with the family.

The Prime Minister stated that the teenager "deserves a legacy that goes beyond this awful tragedy" and pledged to do everything within the government's power to prevent other families experiencing such devastating loss.

Sir Keir acknowledged that "difficult questions that need to be answered about the way the police handled Henry's murder" remain outstanding.

Earlier in the day, Mrs Badenoch had also met with Lucy, Mark and Katie Nowak, praising their "extraordinary" courage and promising to work towards a positive legacy for their son.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy dismissed criticism from the Trump administration, which had posted on X condemning "two-tiered policing" as a symptom of "civilizational decline".

Mr Lammy told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't recognise this caricature of a two-tier policing system in our country. I just don't see it in the interactions I have with policing, and so I do reject that."

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The Justice Secretary also called on Elon Musk to step away from commenting on the case, noting the billionaire had posted more than 100 times about the tragedy on his platform.

Mr Lammy told Sky News: "Elon Musk should get on with that," referring to an upcoming SpaceX stock market debut, adding: "Let us not exploit their situation. They have asked for calm."

The Liberal Democrats demanded the US ambassador be summoned over what foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller called "flagrant foreign interference that seeks to fan the flames of division".

The political turmoil surrounding Sir Keir extends beyond the Nowak case, with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham confirming on BBC Question Time that he would challenge for the Labour leadership if he wins the Makerfield by-election on June 18.

More than 90 Labour MPs have publicly demanded Starmer's resignation following last month's electoral defeats across England, Wales and Scotland.

Cabinet ministers including Shabana Mahmood, Ed Miliband, John Healey and Mr Lammy are alleged to have privately urged the Prime Minister to set a departure date, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned and announced his own leadership ambitions.