UK Rejects US Claims of Two-Tiered Justice After Nowak's Death

British officials have forcefully rejected accusations from the U.S. State Department that the UK has a two-tiered criminal justice system following the death of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student who was handcuffed by police after being stabbed.

Justice Secretary David Lammy rejected what he called a 'caricature' of Britain's justice system on Friday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office echoed these sentiments, calling the U.S. claims a misrepresentation. Hampshire Police Chief Constable Alexis Boon also staunchly refuted the State Department's suggestion.

The controversy stems from Nowak's death in an attack in Southampton last December. His killer, Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced on Monday to a minimum of 21 years in prison. Police bodycam footage released earlier this week shows officers continuing to handcuff Nowak despite his pleas that he was struggling to breathe and injured.

The U.S. State Department had accused Britain of 'ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing,' calling them symptoms of civilizational decline. This statement, reposted by the U.S. Embassy in London, drew strong reactions from UK officials and political parties alike.

David Lammy revealed he spoke directly to US Vice President JD Vance to dispute his claims that Nowak's murder was linked to 'mass invasion of migrants.' According to Lammy, he emphasized during their conversation that Britain's democratic processes are functioning well. The Justice Secretary also pointed out ongoing investigations into police conduct and a review of Digwa's sentence as evidence of the system working.

Lammy stated that he disagreed with Vance's characterization of the case, emphasizing that Nowak's killer was British and that murder rates in the UK have been decreasing. Despite their disagreement, Lammy described the conversation as 'amicable' and maintained they remain colleagues and friends. He also urged Vance not to use social media to fuel divisions, respecting the Nowak family's wishes for calm.

Vance had claimed on social media that Nowak would still be alive if European elites had resisted what he called a 'mass invasion of migrants.' The Trump administration has repeatedly linked the case to immigration policies. Downing Street responded by condemning attempts to interfere in UK democracy and stir up division, urging respect for the grieving family's wishes.

Over a few days spanning Saturday’s 82nd anniversary of D-day, senior Trump administration officials have trampled over diplomatic protocol to tear into Europe’s immigration and anti-racism policies. From an American cemetery in Normandy, Pete Hegseth suggested that the freedom fought for in 1944 risked being upended by a new 'invasion' of migrants threatening the European continent.

These interventions were sparked by a growing controversy over Nowak's killing. Statements from Vance and the US State Department echoed arguments from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, suggesting that the case illustrates multiculturalism and political correctness gone mad.