Deputy PM Lammy Confronts VP Vance Over Teen's Murder Comments
In a call described as "robust but respectful," UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy told US Vice President JD Vance he was "wrong" for linking a teenager's murder to mass migration.
The Dispute
Vance had posted on X that 17-year-old Henry Nowak would be alive "if the last few generations of European elites had stood their ground against... the mass invasion of migrants."
Lammy directly challenged this narrative. "This has got nothing to do with mass migration," the Deputy PM stated. "This young man was a Brit... There is an investigation into the police."
Key Facts of the Case
- The murderer has been convicted
- Police procedures are under investigation
- Murder rates in the UK are currently decreasing
The Conversation
Reflecting on his call with Vance on Saturday, Lammy characterized it as "a robust conversation, a respectful conversation." When asked directly if he believed Vance's comment was racist, Lammy did not give a direct label, instead stating he reminded the VP that the victim's family had called for calm and noted the "toxicity of online spaces."
Broader Context
The diplomatic friction extends beyond this single incident. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently used a D-Day anniversary speech to criticize European migration policies. Lammy also addressed comparisons to his own response to Black Lives Matter protests, arguing that the appropriate response to Nowak's death is to examine the resulting actions and procedures.
On UK Policing
Lammy clarified his current stance on British policing, stating he does not believe UK police are institutionally racist today. However, he acknowledged there remains a disproportionality in arrest and conviction data, attributing this in part to socioeconomic factors.