Downing Street has rejected the Trump administration's criticism of “two-tier policing” in the UK, following a US state department statement offering condolences to the family of murdered teenager Henry Nowak. The prime minister's spokesperson said the government did not recognise the state department's position, echoing justice secretary David Lammy, who earlier stated it did not align with his experience.
The US state department posted on X that “ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing are glaring symptoms of civilisational decline”, adding that they “must be rejected across the West”. The post offered condolences to the Nowak family and the British people. The Liberal Democrats condemned the remarks as “flagrant foreign interference” and called for the US ambassador to be summoned.
Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student, was handcuffed by Hampshire police as he lay dying from stab wounds in Southampton. His killer, Vickrum Digwa, had falsely accused him of racist abuse. Digwa was later convicted of murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years. The case has been cited by figures including Elon Musk and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as evidence of bias against white people, accusations they have been accused of exploiting.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Nowak's family on Thursday, promising to take “whatever action is required to right the wrongs”. The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the officers who handcuffed Nowak. On Tuesday night, 11 police officers and one police dog were injured in Southampton during a protest linked to Nowak's death, involving far-right agitators.
Downing Street declined to comment on whether the US would be rebuked diplomatically, but stressed the bilateral relationship remained “incredibly strong”. Starmer previously accused Musk of “interfering in our politics” and attempting to create division.
