Henry Nowak murder sparks UK-US political row over anti-immigration rhetoric

The UK government has criticized statements made by US Vice President JD Vance, who attributed the murder of British student Henry Nowak to mass migration and a decline in Western civilization. Vance, in a post on social media on June 5, 2026, called for "righteous anger" following Nowak's death, blaming it on an "invasion of migrants" and alleging "two-tier policing" in Britain.

In response, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office condemned those "seeking to stir up division" and "interfere in our democracy," rejecting the notion of biased policing. Downing Street also highlighted the Nowak family's plea that their son's tragic death not be exploited to generate further hatred or tension.

Henry Nowak, 18, was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December by Vickrum Digwa, who was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. The case garnered controversy due to initial police actions, where Nowak was handcuffed while dying after Digwa falsely claimed a racist assault, prompting an ongoing investigation into the police response.