Andrea Jenkyns left a gathering with a cabinet minister and several other city leaders on Thursday following a tense exchange regarding the killing of Henry Nowak and subsequent public disorder. The Reform mayor of Greater Lincolnshire departed the session with communities secretary Steve Reed and regional representatives after disagreement over social media’s role in heightening local strains. The clash reflects ongoing political friction after Nowak’s death at the hands of Vickrum Digwa, a Sikh individual who misled police by claiming racial abuse. The event sparked rallies involving far-right participants, resulting in clashes and detentions. Keir Starmer has blamed X owner Elon Musk for worsening divisions through frequent commentary on the matter in recent weeks. The prime minister also criticized Reform leader Nigel Farage for using Nowak’s death to advance political aims. Thursday’s session with Reed and mayors from multiple parties aimed to focus on policy matters concerning powers that regional leaders seek from central government in London. The closing portion addressed social unity in light of recent events. Sources present indicated Reed began by stating that non-government entities were intentionally fueling splits in Britain, frequently via social media. He pointed to hostile foreign influences as aggravating street tensions in Southampton lately and sought suggestions from the mayors on fostering community harmony. Labour mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard supported the view, noting that protests from various sides had made some neighborhoods feel insecure. Attendees reported Jenkyns responded sharply, particularly to the social media remarks. She warned of delivering a truth bomb, asserting that social cohesion requires free expression and accusing Labour officials of diverting attention from criticism of Starmer’s management of the case. Liverpool’s Labour mayor Steve Rotheram dismissed her points and referenced her prior role in a Conservative administration that overlooked the pain of Hillsborough victims’ families. The exchange extended between Jenkyns and West Yorkshire Labour mayor Tracy Brabin before Jenkyns spoke quietly and exited. Her Reform colleague Luke Campbell, mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, stayed to conclude the meeting. Jenkyns later stated to the Guardian that claims of storming out exaggerated events by a nervous Labour party ahead of a by-election. She said she departed 15 minutes early due to unwillingness to hear hypocrisy, argued that genuine cohesion needs free speech, and claimed identity politics and uneven policing leave communities ignored. She added she rejects violence from any group and that political maneuvering with distorted accounts will not heal Britain’s divides. The disagreement risked overshadowing the session’s core aim of exploring mayoral powers under the Devolution Act passed this year. Reed commented afterward that the government intends to transfer authority from Westminster to mayors. Coppard and Reed’s spokesperson offered no remarks.
