US Vice President JD Vance has triggered a diplomatic controversy after linking the killing of a British student to what he described as the long-term consequences of mass migration and societal decline in the United Kingdom.
In a post on X on Friday, Vance referred to the December 2025 death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton and argued that the incident reflected broader failures by political leaders and institutions.
‘Henry Nowak died the same way a civilization dies: abandoned, handcuffed by authorities who neither trusted nor cared for him, and accused of hate crimes he did not commit,’ Vance wrote.
Read More: ‘They’ve got no choice’: US President Trump claims Iran has just 21% of missiles left, insists Tehran must reach agreement
‘His murder is as tragic as it is enraging.’
Case becomes flashpoint for right-wing critics
The case has drawn significant attention both in Britain and abroad. Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa.
According to reports, Digwa initially told police that he was the victim and claimed that Nowak had racially abused him. The incident later became a focal point for criticism of policing and immigration policies among conservative and right-wing commentators.
Vance, who has frequently criticised European migration policies, called for stronger public reaction to the case and urged what he described as ‘righteous anger.’
Elon Musk and US State Department also weigh in
The case has attracted attention from several prominent figures in the United States, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has repeatedly commented on the police handling of the incident through posts on X.
Earlier this week, the US State Department also entered the debate, criticising what it called ‘ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing’ in relation to the case.
Read More: This small nation is emerging as new ‘tech hub’ for students seeking jobs, PR; not US, UK, China, name is…
Vance has now become the most senior member of President Donald Trump’s administration to publicly address the issue.
Vance says European leaders failed to confront migration
Expanding on his criticism, Vance argued that Henry Nowak’s death was part of a wider trend that he believes stems from decades of failed migration policies across Europe.
‘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,’ Vance said.
Read More: Donald Trump faces major setback, US judge strikes down policies targeting immigrants from 39 countries, what it means for Indians
‘Henry was far from the first to so needlessly lose his life, and I fear he won’t be the last.’
Vance has been one of the strongest advocates within the Trump administration of the view that large-scale migration has contributed to what he describes as a decline in Western societies.
UK government rejects US criticism
The British government quickly pushed back against the remarks, accusing outside figures of attempting to inflame tensions within the country.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: ‘We have seen people trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets.’
Read More: Russia’s Putin sends strong message on Delhi-Moscow ties, praises India at SPIEF plenary, says, ‘Country never followed any diktat from abroad’
The spokesperson also noted that Henry Nowak’s family had appealed for restraint and did not want the tragedy to be used for political purposes.
According to the statement, the family said they did not want the student’s death ‘to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.’
Prime Minister Starmer also criticised Elon Musk on Thursday, accusing the billionaire entrepreneur of ‘trying to whip up division’ in Britain through his comments on the case.
First published on: Jun 06, 2026 09:54 AM IST
Get Breaking News First and Latest Updates from India and around the world on News24. Follow News24 on Facebook, Twitter.
End of Article
Related Story
