U.S. Vice President JD Vance weighed in on the murder of 18-year-old British student Henry Nowak in a lengthy post on X, blaming the killing on the "mass invasion of migrants" in Europe and the failure of "European elites" to stand their ground.

 

JD Vance weighs in on Henry Nowak murder

U.S. Vice President JD Vance weighed in on the murder of 18-year-old British student Henry Nowak in a lengthy post on X, blaming the killing on the "mass invasion of migrants" in Europe and the failure of "European elites" to stand their ground.

The incendiary remarks have sparked a diplomatic row between Washington and London.

 

Vance's Core Remarks

Vance criticized the circumstances surrounding the teenager's final moments, where bodycam footage showed Nowak handcuffed by police while struggling to breathe after his attacker falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist attack:

• Blame on Immigration: Vance stated that Nowak would still be alive today if past generations of "European elites had stood their ground against the politics of self-hatred and the mass invasion of migrants, many of whom despise the West and the people who love it".
• Call to Action: He demanded "righteous anger," stating that stopping mass migration and defending national sovereignty relies purely on "political will and leadership".

UK Government Response

Downing Street swiftly hit back at Vance's comments, strongly rebuking the intervention by a top-tier U.S. official:

• Interference in Democracy: A Downing Street spokesperson condemned individuals “trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets”.
• Respecting the Family: The UK government emphasized that the Nowak family specifically requested that the tragedy not be used to create further division, hatred, or tension.
• Domestic Pushback: British politicians criticized Vance for attempting to "import toxic politics" into the UK, stating that Britain does not need advice from American politicians on effective policing.

The Background of the Case

Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton, UK, by Vickrum Digwa, who has since been sentenced to life in prison. The case has caused intense civil debate and protests in the UK. The public outcry was largely driven by the release of bodycam footage showing authorities ignoring Nowak's pleas for help and handcuffing him as he lay dying, while his killer falsely claimed he had been racially attacked