British Deputy PM Scolds JD Vance Over Student Stabbing Case: 'This Isn't About Migration'

British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has publicly rebuked US Vice President JD Vance over his comments linking a student stabbing case to migration issues. Lammy stressed that Vance's statement was not based on facts and could exacerbate an already sensitive situation.

In a phone call with Sky News on Sunday, Lammy said he had spoken to Vance the previous day to correct several misconceptions he had shared on social media.

'I want to be clear that I don't agree with some of the facts he's presented, and I've presented the actual facts,' Lammy said.

The controversy began after Vance commented on the stabbing death of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak in Southampton, England, in December.

In a post on platform X, Vance described Nowak's death as a 'legitimate reason for anger' and linked it to what he called a 'wave of immigrant invasion' that he believes is fueled by a hatred of the West.

The comments sparked outrage from the British government, who deemed them not factual and not aligned with the legal facts that have emerged during the trial.

Lammy reiterated that the case has no connection to mass migration. The perpetrator, Vickrum Digwa, is a British 23-year-old who was found guilty of murder and received a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years.

'This case has nothing to do with mass migration,' Lammy stated.

During the trial, it was revealed that Digwa used a kirpan, a type of blade similar to the Sikh tradition, to stab Nowak. After the incident, Digwa claimed to the police that he was a victim of a racial attack from Nowak.

As a result, the first responders who arrived at the scene initially suspected Nowak of being the perpetrator before realizing he was fatally stabbed and provided aid.

The case has since been exploited by some anti-immigration groups and far-right figures in the UK. Last week, a demonstration in Southampton turned violent, with protesters hurling chairs, trash cans, stones, and other objects at the police.

Please refrain from copying or sharing this article on commercial social media platforms without permission.

Jl. Tentara Pelajar, Rukan Permata Senayan, Blok A-15, Kelurahan Grogol Utara, Kebayoran Lama, Jakarta Selatan

+62 21 5794 1110 / +62 21 5794 0640 [protected]

This article has been verified by the Indonesian Journalists Association Certificate No. 626/DP-Verifikasi/K/IV/2026