Starmer suggests US interference in UK democracy over Nowak case
9 reported
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested the United States is trying to interfere in British democracy after US Vice-President JD Vance blamed the murder of British teenager Henry Nowak on mass migration. Downing Street did not name Vance directly but said people were trying to interfere in UK democracy and stir up division. The response came after Vance posted on X that Nowak would be alive if European elites had stood against mass migration. The US State Department, run by Marco Rubio, portrayed the case as an example of the UK’s “civilisational decline.” Starmer rejected that characterisation and said the police response was under review. The Liberal Democrats called for the US ambassador to be summoned over what they called “flagrant foreign interference.” No 10 said the relationship with the US remained “incredibly strong” despite the difference of view on policing.
What’s reported
Keir Starmer suggested the US is trying to interfere in British democracy after JD Vance blamed Henry Nowak’s murder on mass migration.
Downing Street did not name Vance directly but said people were trying to interfere in UK democracy and stir up division.
Vance posted on X that Nowak would be alive if European elites had stood against mass migration.
The US State Department portrayed the case as an example of the UK’s “civilisational decline.”
Starmer rejected the State Department’s characterisation and said the police response was under review.
The Liberal Democrats called for the US ambassador to be summoned over “flagrant foreign interference.”
No 10 said the relationship with the US remained “incredibly strong” despite the difference of view on policing.
Nowak’s killer, Vickrum Digwa, was convicted of murder and jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, is examining the behaviour of officers who handcuffed Nowak after he was fatally stabbed.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, UK prime minister
JD Vance, US vice-president
Henry Nowak, murdered British teenager
Vickrum Digwa, convicted murderer
Marco Rubio, US secretary of state
Ed Davey, Liberal Democrats leader
Elon Musk, owner of X
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader
David Lammy, UK deputy prime minister
Rupert Lowe, former Reform MP
Sources: The Guardian
