Lammy says he told JD Vance his Nowak comments were ‘wrong’
Lammy Confronts Vance Over Remarks on Henry Nowak’s Murder
Lammy says he told JD Vance – UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has clarified that he contacted US Vice-President JD Vance to correct his earlier comments about the fatal stabbing of British teenager Henry Nowak. Lammy stated that during a conversation on Saturday, he informed Vance that the murder “has got nothing to do with mass migration,” challenging the vice-president’s assertion that the death was a result of “the mass invasion of migrants” and “righteous anger” against the perceived decline of Western civilisation.
A Tragic Incident and Its Aftermath
Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old British student, was killed in December last year by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton. Digwa, who is British and was born in the UK, claimed he had been racially abused and was acting in self-defense when he stabbed Nowak. However, bodycam footage captured by police showed Nowak being handcuffed as he lay dying, with Digwa falsely asserting he was the victim of a racist attack. Despite this, Digwa was sentenced to life in prison for the murder, with the court noting that he had carried a blade linked to his Sikh faith as a religious symbol.
“I told him he was wrong,” Lammy said during an interview with the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. He described the exchange as “agreeable,” emphasizing that while he did not share Vance’s “caricature” of Western civilisation, they remained colleagues and friends.
The incident sparked intense discussions about policing practices and knife laws in the UK, leading to violent protests in Southampton. Vance, in a post on X, likened Nowak’s death to the decline of a civilisation, stating that the teenager “died the same way a civilisation dies: abandoned and handcuffed by authorities who neither trusted nor cared for him.” He argued that Nowak’s survival would have been ensured if European leaders had resisted the “politics of self-hatred” and “mass invasion of migrants” in recent decades.
Political Tensions and Institutional Criticism
As the debate over the case intensified, Downing Street criticized Vance’s remarks, accusing him of “trying to stir up division” by linking the murder to broader societal issues. Meanwhile, the Independent Office for Police Conduct is examining Hampshire Police’s actions in the Nowak case, with the police chief apologizing for the decision to handcuff the victim. This scrutiny has also brought attention to a document from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), which outlines anti-racism commitments and rejects the notion that racial equality means treating everyone “the same” or being “colour blind.”
Lammy, in a statement, reiterated the importance of the rule of law, saying, “We are all equal before the law.” Yet, he acknowledged the need for a balanced approach, noting that the Nowak family had urged calm after the sentencing. Mark Nowak, the victim’s father, expressed this sentiment publicly, stating, “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.”
A Longstanding Relationship Under Strain
Lammy and Vance’s friendship, which has spanned years, has recently faced challenges. The two have met regularly since entering public office, with Vance and his family staying at Lammy’s grace-and-favour home in Kent during a summer visit. However, their relationship has become more contentious in recent months, particularly over the UK’s decision to refrain from joining the US in military action against Iran. Critics in the UK have accused Vance of undermining national unity, a stance that has drawn sharp rebukes from Downing Street.
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, highlighted the political implications of the case, asserting that the police’s “guidance” directly influenced the outcome. Yusuf defended the party’s position, stating that it had “been respectful of the Nowak family’s wishes” to avoid using the tragedy for divisive purposes. He added, “The only way we can ensure no other situation like Henry’s death occurs is through political means. Nobody will guilt-trip us into stopping these arguments.”
Reflecting on Racial Equality and Institutional Racism
The controversy has also reignited debates about institutional racism within UK policing. Yusuf cited the NPCC document as evidence of systemic biases, arguing that its language supports the idea that police actions may reflect deeper societal divides. The document, which the NPCC plans to review, underscores the complexity of addressing racism while maintaining equitable treatment under the law.
Lammy, while agreeing that racism exists, stressed the importance of focusing on the law as a unifying force. “We must ensure that every individual, regardless of background, is judged fairly,” he said, though he acknowledged the need for ongoing dialogue to address concerns raised by the Nowak case. The incident has forced both political leaders and the public to reconsider the role of migration, racial tensions, and police accountability in shaping national discourse.
A Nation in Conversation
As the debate continues, the case has become a focal point for discussions on how to balance community cohesion with justice. Lammy’s call to Vance reflects a growing effort to address the perceived disconnect between policy and lived experiences. Meanwhile, the broader implications of Nowak’s death are expected to influence future conversations about policing reforms and the integration of migrant communities into British society.
Amid these developments, the UK and the US remain at a crossroads in their relationship. While the two leaders have shared a personal bond, their differing approaches to issues like migration and foreign policy have tested that friendship. As the NPCC reviews its anti-racism commitments and police conduct is scrutinized, the legacy of Henry Nowak’s murder is poised to shape both domestic and international perspectives on justice and unity in the years to come.