LONDON (AP) — Britain's Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, engaged in a robust dialogue with U.S. Vice President JD Vance over Vance's controversial remarks linking immigration to the tragic death of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak. Lammy, who also serves as the Justice Minister, made it clear during a phone call on Saturday that he fundamentally disagreed with Vance's assertions regarding the murder case.

The conversation followed Vance's post on the social platform X, where he expressed that there should be "righteous anger" surrounding Nowak's murder. Nowak was stabbed to death in December by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa in Southampton, England. Initially, police treated Nowak as a suspect when they arrived on the scene, as Digwa reported that he was a victim of a racist attack. Digwa later misled authorities about the nature of the incident, inflating the tension surrounding the case.

Vance’s comments suggested that Nowak's murder was influenced by "the mass invasion of migrants" who purportedly harbor disdain for Western values. In his response, Lammy emphasized the need to address the situation based on facts. He pointed out that the perpetrator, Digwa, is British and has since been imprisoned. "This has got nothing to do with mass migration," Lammy asserted during his interview with Sky News.

Following Digwa's conviction for murder, he was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 21 years to serve. The case has since been exploited by anti-immigration activists and politicians in the U.K. Protests erupted in Southampton, where police were pelted with projectiles during a demonstration that attracted far-right figures and others rallying against immigration policies.

In a statement regarding Vance's comments, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office criticized the actions of individuals seeking to sow division and interfere with democratic processes. Simultaneously, the Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened an investigation into the conduct of police officers at the scene during the chaotic moments of Nowak's stabbing.

Mark Nowak, the victim's father, has publicly stated that the circumstances surrounding his son's death should not be used to amplify racial or religious tensions. He advocated for making the issue one of public safety rather than fostering further division and hatred. Lammy reiterated this sentiment during his call with Vance, noting that the Nowak family has expressed a desire for the focus to be on solutions and common sense rather than division.

In summary, the conversation between Lammy and Vance highlights the complexities involved in high-profile crime cases and the sensitivity regarding immigration discourse in relation to violent incidents. Such discussions often elicit a wide range of responses from public figures and communities, reflecting the increasingly polarized nature of today's political climate.