Downing Street accuses US Vice President of fuelling division after linking fatal stabbing to immigration
US Vice President JD Vance has drawn criticism from the British government after linking the murder of a Southampton teenager to immigration, prompting a diplomatic row between Washington and London.
In a post on X on Friday, Vance commented on the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, who was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December. His remarks came days after 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
Vance described the case as evidence of broader societal and political failures, arguing that mass migration had contributed to conditions that led to the killing. He said Nowak’s death reflected what he viewed as the consequences of European leaders failing to confront immigration issues.
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The comments were swiftly rejected by Downing Street
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A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused outside figures of attempting to inflame tensions around a tragic case and stressed that the victim’s family had appealed for unity rather than division
“The Nowak family are grieving after Henry’s horrific murder,” the spokesperson said, adding that the family had made clear they did not want the case used to fuel hatred or political conflict.
The case has attracted significant attention from anti-immigration campaigners and right-wing commentators. However, both Nowak and Digwa were British citizens, despite efforts by some groups to frame the incident as an immigration-related issue.
Following the attack, Digwa falsely claimed he had been racially abused and was the victim of the confrontation. Police initially treated the seriously injured Nowak as a suspect before later discovering he had suffered a fatal stab wound.
The incident has also intensified debate over allegations of “two-tier” policing in Britain. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and other critics have questioned the police response, while the government maintains there is no evidence supporting claims of unequal treatment. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating officers’ actions during the incident.
Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, has repeatedly urged people not to politicise his son’s death. He has said the tragedy was not about race or religion and has called for a focus on improving public safety rather than deepening divisions.
Vance’s intervention marks the most senior involvement by a member of President Donald Trump’s administration in the controversy, highlighting growing transatlantic disagreements over migration and policing policies.
