Downing Street has accused US Vice-President JD Vance of trying to stir up division after he blamed the murder of teenager Henry Nowak on mass migration.
Vance said in a post on X that Nowak's death was the result of "the mass invasion of migrants" and that the "only response is righteous anger".
“Downing Street accused JD Vance of stirring division after he blamed Henry Nowak's murder on migration.”
A Downing Street spokesman said: "In recent days we have seen people trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets." He added that the Nowak family had asked for his death not to be used to create further division.
Nowak, 18, was stabbed to death in Southampton last December by Vickrum Digwa. The killer, who is British-born, used a 21cm blade he said he carried as part of his Sikh faith. Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years.
Bodycam footage showing police handcuffing Nowak as he lay dying, after Digwa falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist attack, triggered violent protests in Southampton earlier this week.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met Nowak's family on Thursday and said there were "difficult questions" about the police handling of the case. He said Nowak "deserves a legacy that goes beyond this awful tragedy".
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the actions of Hampshire Constabulary officers. An inquest jury will consider next year whether any act or omission by police caused or contributed to his death.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for an independent rapid review into the circumstances of the death. She also called for a review of religious exemptions that allow the carrying of dangerous weapons in public.
On Friday, six more people were charged over the protests in Southampton, bringing the total to 11.
Minister for Children and Families Josh MacAlister criticised Vance, saying: "I don't think we need advice from American politicians on how to have effective policing here in the UK."
The US State Department had earlier said the case was an example of "ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing" and a symptom of "civilisational decline". Downing Street rejected any suggestion of two-tier policing.
Sir Keir Starmer said the police response was under review but rejected the US characterisation. "Policing without fear or favour, whatever anybody else says," he said.