Police in Northern Ireland have urged anyone with information about claims that officers advised nurses to show ID to masked men during disorder last week to report it.
Background to the Allegations
The claims first emerged amid violence that erupted in parts of Belfast after a knife attack in north Belfast in which Stephen Ogilvie, aged in his 40s, lost an eye. Sudanese national Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, charged with attempted murder over the incident.
Anti-immigration disorder that broke out in response to the stabbing saw mobs set homes, a bus and cars on fire – with people targeted based on their race. There have been multiple reports of foreign national healthcare workers being intimidated.
Political Reaction
Stormont First Minister Michelle O’Neill called on police to get to the bottom of the claims and contacted Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher about the allegations. She described the suggestion that masked gangs were asking nurses to show their ID as “vile and disgusting”.
Ms O’Neill expressed particular concern about a claim that police officers close to the Mater Hospital in north Belfast had advised healthcare staff to show their IDs to the rioters as they passed “checkpoints” set up by the gangs.
“It’s absolutely vile and disgusting. I’ve raised it directly with the Chief Constable. I know that our team in the Policing Board (PSNI oversight body) also raised this issue, and I’ve asked the Chief Constable to do a full investigation into this, because I’ve been told by members who work in one of our local hospitals that they stood with police and were told to show their ID to masked men on the street. If that happened, there needs to be a serious investigation. No nurse or no person going into the workplace to stop at any mob and give their ID. That’s absolutely disgraceful.”
She added: “I think we have to get to the bottom of whether or not that did happen. I put it directly to the Chief Constable, who, in the first instance, dismissed it, but then, whenever I went back to him again, he had to take on board that actually both myself and the Health Minister (Mike Nesbitt) were told this by members of staff.”
Police Response
Police said on Monday evening that no-one had made direct contact making such allegations, but said they were engaging with healthcare worker representatives. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police received reports of vehicles being stopped by masked gangs in the Greater Belfast area.
“Officers responded immediately and a significant mobile policing presence was maintained for a period of time to provide reassurance and prevent the commission of offences,” he said in a statement. “We are aware of reports circulating that police officers may have advised nursing staff outside the Mater Hospital to show their ID to masked men. We are checking our records of Tuesday evening to establish if we can identify any specific reports.
“I have also engaged directly with the Chief Executive of the Belfast Trust and with senior staff at the Mater Hospital in order to obtain any specific examples they might be aware of. No one has come to police directly at this stage and we would urge anyone who experienced this or who has information to contact us on 101.”
Health Minister's Comments
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was asked directly about “checkpoints” at the Mater Hospital and police allegedly advising workers to show them their ID by SDLP MLA Colin McGrath during an urgent oral question. Mr Nesbitt responded by saying he had been in the Mater last week and “heard a number of quite horrendous stories which I will not share with the House because some of those stories would identify specific nurses and put them back at risk”.
“I did hear of one young nurse who had to negotiate her own way through the rioters, through the barricades down at Carlisle Circus, that’s not right, and that’s one of the conversations that I had with the Chief Constable and I will assure the Member Mr Boutcher took that very seriously indeed,” he told MLAs.
Mr Nesbitt also said the “appalling events” of last week have “left a mark on healthcare staff, particularly our international colleagues, some of whom have endured horrendous experiences”.
“Many of the issues faced by staff gaining access over the past week have been in relation to disturbances in surrounding areas rather than on the campus itself,” he said. “The safety of staff is paramount and a range of security measures are in place, dedicated security teams are available 24 hours a day across our main sites.
“They’re trained in prevention and management of violence and aggression. They carry out regular patrols, they monitor CCTV and they liaise with the PSNI. The disturbances have largely centred on the Belfast area, particularly the Mater. The Belfast Trust engage regularly with the PSNI, including a meeting with the deputy chief constable on June 11.
“This resulted in an observable increase in police presence, both in the vicinity of the Mater and also on site and within the emergency department with police liaising with staff on the ground. Trust security staff and duty managers also provide a range of interventions to support staff that will be deployed going forward when required.”
Ongoing Situation
While the race-related violence has died down since Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, the weekend did see some isolated incidents in parts of Belfast and beyond. Two men were arrested after criminal damage was caused to a property and vehicle in the Donegall Avenue area of south Belfast, while a house in north Belfast was targeted in an arson attack.
A Together Against Hate rally took place outside Belfast City Hall on Saturday afternoon, with an estimated 3,000 demonstrators in attendance. The Royal College of Nursing engaged with the PSNI on the issue last week.
