David Lammy Challenges JD Vance Over \"Wrong\" Henry Nowak Murder Comments
David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister, has confirmed he engaged with US Vice-President JD Vance, directly challenging Vance's remarks concerning the murder of British teenager Henry Nowak. Vance had publicly attributed the 18-year-old student's death to a \"mass invasion of migrants,\" advocating for \"righteous anger\" as a response. Mr Lammy stated he communicated to Vance that the killing \"has got nothing to do with mass migration,\" noting that the perpetrator, Vickrum Digwa, is a British national born in the UK.
Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Nowak in Southampton in December of last year. Digwa had falsely claimed self-defence and racial abuse. Bodycam footage from the incident showed police officers handcuffing Nowak as he lay dying, after Digwa misled them by claiming to be the victim of a racist attack. This incident has reignited public debate in the UK regarding policing practices and knife crime legislation, leading to public demonstrations in Southampton.
Vice-President Vance posted on X that Nowak had perished \"the same way a civilisation dies: abandoned and handcuffed by authorities who neither trusted nor cared for him.\" He further asserted that Nowak would be alive \"if the last few generations of European elites had stood their ground against the politics of self-hatred and the mass invasion of migrants.\"
Mr Lammy described his conversation with Vance as \"agreeable,\" despite their fundamental disagreement. He reportedly reminded Vance of the Nowak family's appeal for \"calm,\" in what he characterised as a \"robust conversation.\" Despite their differing views, Lammy stated, \"We remain colleagues and friends, we're able to do that, and he has strongly held views.\" Downing Street has issued a statement criticising \"people trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division\" in response to Vance's comments.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating Hampshire Police's actions in the Nowak case. Hampshire Police has expressed regret for handcuffing and arresting Henry Nowak. Additionally, a document from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) outlining anti-racism commitments is under scrutiny, with the NPCC pledging to review its language.
