Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said he confronted US Vice President JD Vance over a tweet that tied the murder of 18‑year‑old Henry Nowak to mass migration.. Lammy, speaking after a phone call, insisted the crime was committed by a British national and warned against politicising the tragedy.

Lammy’s Direct Challenge to Vance’s "Mass Invasion" Claim

During the conversation, Lammy told Vance, “Look, Mr Vice President, you’re wrong about this,” directly disputing the American’s suggestion that the victim would be alive if Europe had resisted a “mass invasion of migrants.” The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the Nowak case invovles a domestic perpetrator , not a migrant, and that linking the two is factually inaccurate.

UK Crime Trends Counter Vance’s Narrative

Lammy highlighted that murder rates in the United Kingdom are actually falling, a point that runs contrary to Vance’s implication of a crime surge caused by migration. He cited ongoing police investigations, a pending sentencing review, and recent reforms to race‑related policing guidance as evidence that Britain’s democratic institutions are responding effectively.

Downing Street’s Earlier Rebuke and Diplomatic Tone

Before Lammy’s phone call, Downing Street publicly rebuked Vance, accusing him of meddling in UK affairs and stoking unrest. lammy reinforced that stance, urging the Vice President to respect the Nowak family’s wish that the murder not be used for political division, while noting that the exchange remained amicable despite the sharp disagreement.

What Remains Unclear About Vance’s Motives

The source does not explain whether Vance’s tweet was part of a broader campaign to influence UK immigration policy or a spontaneous comment. It also leaves unanswered how Vance’s office will respond to Lammy’s admonition and whether any formal diplomatic complaint will follow.

Lammy’s Call for Respect Amid Transatlantic Tension

Lammy concluded by stressing the need to honour the Nowak family’s plea for unity and to avoid weaponising tragedy. He reiterated that , despite differing views on migration, he and Vance share a commitment to Western values, even as they interpret perceived threats in opposite ways.