UK deputy prime minister tells US vice-president his migration comments on teen murder are inaccurate
David Lammy said he warned US Vice‑President JD Vance that linking the killing of British teenager Henry Nowak to migration was incorrect, emphasizing ongoing investigations and the need for measured responses.
Deputy prime minister David Lammy said he contacted US Vice‑President JD Vance on Saturday to challenge the latter’s claim that the murder of 19‑year‑old Henry Nowak was linked to a "mass invasion of migrants". Lammy told the vice‑president that the democratic process was functioning and that the comment was unhelpful.
Lammy explained that Nowak had been convicted of murder and that multiple investigations were under way, including an inquiry by the independent police complaints authority, a review by the police inspectorate, and a sentencing assessment by the attorney general. He stressed that the case had no connection to migration, noting that homicide rates were falling in the United Kingdom.
The exchange was discussed on Sky News’ "Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips", where Lammy said he reminded Vance that the victim’s family had called for calm and that online discourse could become toxic. He added that the two remained colleagues and friends.
The incident follows recent remarks by US defence secretary Pete Hegseth, who described migration to Europe as an "invasion" during a D‑Day anniversary speech in France. Lammy also addressed questions about institutional racism in UK policing, stating that the country had moved beyond the era of overt institutional racism but acknowledging disparities in arrest and conviction data that reflect a complex mix of factors, not solely racial bias.
When asked whether Vance’s comments were racist, Lammy said he did not label them as such, focusing instead on the need for respectful dialogue and measured reform.