Lammy Confronts Vance Over Migrant Invasion Claims

Lammy Confronts Vance Over Migrant Invasion Claims

Deputy prime minister David Lammy has confirmed he telephoned US vice-president JD Vance on Saturday to state directly that the American was wrong to link the murder of Henry Nowak to an invasion of migrants. Lammy told Sky News that the conversation focused on correcting the record after Vance posted remarks on X on Friday blaming European elites for the death of the 18-year-old.

Lammy emphasised that the tragedy had nothing to do with mass migration and reminded Vance that the Nowak family had asked for the case not to be used to sow division. He quoted his own words to the vice-president as: Look, Mr Vice President, you're wrong about this.

Details of the Killing and Immediate Aftermath

Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa, a British man. Bodycam footage from the night shows police officers handcuffing Nowak as he lay on the ground while he repeatedly stated he could not breathe. Digwa had falsely claimed to officers that he had been the victim of a racist attack. Nowak died shortly afterwards.

The killing prompted riots in Southampton on Tuesday after an anti-police protest attended by far-right figures including Tommy Robinson and Lawrence Fox. Several officers were injured during the disorder and multiple arrests were made.

Vance Attributes Death to European Self-Hatred

In his Friday post on X, Vance wrote that Nowak died abandoned and handcuffed by authorities who neither trusted nor cared for him, and accused of hate crimes he did not commit. The vice-president claimed Nowak would still be alive if recent generations of European elites had stood their ground against the politics of self-hatred and the mass invasion of migrants.

Lammy later told the BBC that he and Vance remain colleagues and friends despite the robust exchange. He noted that Vance had stressed his concerns applied as much to the United States as to the United Kingdom.

Downing Street Accuses Vance of Interfering in UK Democracy

Downing Street responded by accusing the vice-president of trying to interfere in British democracy. Officials urged respect for the wishes of the Nowak family, who have stated they do not want the death turned into an issue of division and hatred.

Lammy informed Vance during the call that the UK's murder rate is falling, that the democratic process is working, that Digwa has been convicted, and that investigations into police actions continue alongside attorney general scrutiny of sentencing.

Hegseth Uses D-Day Event to Criticise Nato Allies

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth also drew criticism after using a D-Day commemoration ceremony in Normandy marking the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings to attack Nato countries. He accused European nations of failing to tackle illegal immigration and claimed the continent now faces an invasion of dangerous ideologies arriving by sea.

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace told The Independent that Vance and Hegseth would do well not to believe everything they read on X and instead to read Ronald Reagan's inspiring D-Day speech from the 40th anniversary.

Lammy Urges Restraint on Social Media and Knife Exemptions

Lammy said he urged Vance that it is not helpful to tweet in this way, citing the Nowak family's explicit request to avoid turning the case into an issue of hatred. He added that the pair ended their conversation amicably and discussed when they would next meet.

When asked about possible reviews of legislation allowing blades to be carried for religious reasons, Lammy noted existing exemptions for Sikhs but described them as a privilege that could be withdrawn if the policy no longer commands full public confidence.