No 10 Accuses JD Vance Of Interfering In UK Democracy

Downing Street has accused JD Vance of “interference in our democracy” as an extraordinary war of words erupted over the murder of Henry Nowak.

No.10 hit back at the US vice-president after he said the teenager’s death was caused by “the mass invasion of migrants”.

Eighteen-year-old Henry was handcuffed and arrested by police as he lay dying after being wrongly accused of racism by his killer, Vickram Digwa.

Digwa, who is Sikh, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years at Southampton Crown Court on Monday.

The case has sparked a furious political row, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage being condemned by Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch for claiming it is proof of “two-tier policing” in the UK.

In a post on X, Vance said: “Henry Nowak died the same way a civilisation dies: abandoned, handcuffed by authorities who neither trusted nor cared for him, and accused of hate crimes he did not commit.

“His murder is as tragic as it is enraging. He should still be alive today, and he would be if the last few 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.

“Henry was far from the first to so needlessly lose his life, and I fear he won’t be the last. Each time a life like his is lost, the proper response—the only response—is righteous anger.”

His comments echoed those of Farage, who called for “pure, cold anger” in response to Henry’s death.

Hours later, police were pelted with missiles by protesters after violence erupted outside Southampton Police Station.

Starmer has also accused X owner Elon Musk of trying to “trying to whip up division” over his comments on the Henry Nowak case.

Responding to Vance, a No.10 spokesperson said: “In recent days we have seen people trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets.

“The Nowak family are grieving after Henry’s horrific murder. They have said they do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension. We should be respecting their wishes.

“Our politics should bring people together even in the most terrible of circumstances. That is who we are as a country.”

The row is the latest example of the ill-feeling that exists between the Trump administration and the UK government.

Deep splits have erupted in recent months over the Iran war, after Starmer initially refused American jets permission to launch attacks from RAF air bases.

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