Adil Ray has urged followers to “be woke” as the Good Morning Britain star weighed into the debate surrounding two-tier policing following the Henry Nowak case.
The presenter and actor shared a strongly worded message on social media, arguing that politicians and parts of the media are now using racism to divide communities while distracting from wider issues, including economic inequality and global conflicts.
Posting to his Instagram followers, Mr Ray wrote: “Racism is ultimately a distraction.
“Politicians will use it to divide and gain power. Some media enjoy the clicks.”
He continued: “Meanwhile, thousands of people of all colours are still getting poorer, the rich are getting richer.
“Millions are being persecuted in Gaza and around the world.”
Concluding the post, the ITV star added: “Yet if we remind people to be woke, the racism cycle starts again.”
He accompanied the message with the caption: “Be woke. Be woke.”
Henry Nowak was stabbed nine times by Vickrum Digwa who then claimed to officers that Henry had racially abused and assaulted him | FACEBOOK
As well as Mr Ray, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has rejected claims of two-tier policing and accused critics of attempting to inflame tensions.
Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has warned that public trust in policing could suffer lasting damage if concerns are not addressed.
Mr Ray’s comments come amid heightened tensions following the murder of Southampton student Mr Nowak and the subsequent disorder that erupted outside Southampton Central Police Station.
More than 1,000 protesters gathered in the city earlier this week after police bodycam footage was released showing the final moments of the 18-year-old’s life.
The footage showed Mr Nowak being handcuffed after officers were misled by false allegations of racism made by his killer, Vickrum Digwa.
The protest later descended into violence, with missiles thrown at police officers and riot units deployed to restore order.
Two men have since been charged in connection with the disorder.
Mr Ray’s comments were shared as fierce debate continues over claims of “two-tier policing”, diversity training within police forces and accusations that racial issues are being used to fuel political division.
This isn’t the first time the broadcaster has used his platform to challenge what he sees as divisive political rhetoric.
In 2023, he criticised former Home Secretary Suella Braverman after she singled out British-Pakistani men while discussing grooming gangs, describing her comments as “dog-whistle politics” and arguing they fuelled racist abuse towards him and his community.
Two years earlier, Mr Ray clashed with then Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden on Good Morning Britain over a government report which concluded there was no evidence of systemic racism in the UK.
During the exchange, the ITV presenter cited economic and social disparities, which he said contradicted the report’s findings.
The presenter has also spoken out about what he describes as institutional Islamophobia in British politics, accusing Conservative Party figures of tolerating anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Away from Westminster, Mr Ray has engaged in several high-profile public disputes over race-related issues.
His latest intervention comes as political figures continue to clash over the fallout from Mr Nowak’s case.
Meanwhile, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has defended its officers against allegations of biased policing.
Chief Constable Alexis Boon said she did not recognise the concept of two-tier policing, insisting officers work hard to serve all communities fairly.