Prime Minister Keir Starmer has broken his silence over last night's riots in Belfast. Masked gangs took over the city and set streets alight during a night of rage after a horrific stabbing incident.
Images from inside the city showed police hiding behind armoured vans and cars, while hundreds of people wearing black balaclavas and facemasks launched firebombs and missiles at them, also seemingly setting everything nearby on fire.
The anger and rage started after a Sudanese national was charged with attempted murder following Stephen Ogilvie sustaining "significant injuries" to his face, neck and back on Monday evening.
Suspect named in court
The suspect in the horror attack has been named as Sudanese national Hadi Alodid, 30, after he made his first appearance in court. Details of the attack, which occurred on Kinnaird Avenue in the city's north, were disclosed after graphic footage of the stabbing was widely circulated online.
The video shows individuals, including one armed with a hurling stick, intervening to halt the man assaulting the victim in the residential area of Kinnaird Avenue, near the bustling Antrim Road in north Belfast. A kitchen knife was retrieved from the scene.
Starmer's statement in full
Keir Starmer released a statement on social media site X, which read:
"The scenes in Belfast last night were shocking and completely unacceptable. There is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it, online or elsewhere. It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate it.
"Those responsible will feel the full force of the law. I've spoken to the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to convey my thanks to them and the frontline emergency services for their bravery in keeping people safe.
"I've also spoken to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to discuss the ongoing situation. Appealing for calm must be the priority, and that is what I urge now. We must let the police get on with their work."
