The UK government has criticised remarks by US Vice-President JD Vance following his comments on the murder of Henry Nowak, accusing outside figures of attempting to deepen divisions in British society.
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A spokesman for Downing Street said there were people “trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division” after Vance linked Nowak’s death to immigration in a post on X.
The response came after Vance described the killing of the 18-year-old student as both “tragic” and “enraging”. He argued that Nowak would still be alive if European leaders had resisted what he called a “mass invasion of migrants”, adding that the appropriate reaction was “righteous anger”.
Family's Wishes Highlighted
In its response, Downing Street pointed to the wishes of the Nowak family, saying they had made clear they did not want his death used to create further division.
The spokesman said political leaders should seek to unite people, even in the aftermath of deeply distressing events, adding that this reflected the values of the country.
Vance’s comments followed a statement from the US State Department, which criticised what it described as “ideological conditioning” and “two-tiered policing” in Western countries.
Political Row Intensifies
Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused tech entrepreneur Elon Musk of attempting to inflame tensions over the case.
Musk had shared comments on X urging people to circulate footage showing Nowak’s final moments. He alleged that police treated the victim unfairly while showing deference to his attacker.
The controversy has centred on body-camera footage released by police, which showed officers handcuffing Nowak after he was stabbed. Police said the suspect, Vickrum Digwa, had falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist attack.
Protests and Political Debate
The footage prompted violent protests in Southampton on Tuesday. During the unrest, officers were struck by missiles, leaving eleven police officers and one police dog injured. Police arrested two people in connection with the disorder.
Digwa was later sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years. The court heard he used a 21cm blade, which he said he carried as part of his Sikh faith, to fatally stab Nowak as the teenager walked home alone after a night out with friends on 3 December.
The case has also fuelled debate among political parties. The Conservative Party and Reform UK have criticised what they describe as “two-tier policing”, arguing that different groups are treated differently by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, called for restraint. He said attempts to use Nowak’s death for political purposes should be resisted, regardless of whether they came from American political figures or their supporters in Britain.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 6 June 2026