Andy Burnham has warned politicians against 'stoking tensions' after riots erupted in Belfast following a brutal stabbing. The Greater Manchester mayor appeared to criticise Reform UK at a hustings in Makerfield, accusing former Tory ministers Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick, now Reform MPs, of overseeing record migration levels while in government.
Reform candidate Rob Kenyon blamed 'illegal immigration' for the attack, which sparked unrest across Belfast on Monday night. Homes and cars were set alight as hundreds of protesters took to the streets.
Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder, possession of a knife, and threats to kill an NHS worker. The victim, Stephen Ogilvy, remains in hospital after losing his left eye and sustaining damage to his right eye, along with neck and back injuries.
Burnham described the attack as 'horrific' and said it 'needs to be dealt with with the most severe consequences'. He noted that the suspect 'has leave to remain, that can be revoked'.
During the hustings, Burnham said: 'Who was in charge of the immigration system when we saw net migration at the highest levels in recent times? Two prominent members of Reform, Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick. There needs to be some reflection here from all parties.'
Restore, a far-right party, earlier pointed the finger at Braverman and Jenrick, stating: 'They held the power. They have both horrifically failed the British people.'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the attack 'horrific' and demanded authorities reveal the attacker's identity and status immediately.
Burnham told the audience that 'politicians and their words have consequences'. Kenyon said he did not condone violence but people were 'upset' because violence was 'becoming more normalised on our streets'. He added: 'The guy who did it was a Sudanese illegal immigrant who stabbed an NHS worker. We need a strict immigration policy and to stop the boats.'
Other candidates also weighed in. Conservative candidate Michael Winstanley said perpetrators should be dealt with swiftly and removed if they have no right to be here. Liberal Democrat Jake Austin blamed 'years of rhetoric from the extreme right' for the unrest. Green Party candidate Sarah Wakefield called for 'a politics of compassion'.
The debate also touched on the murder of Henry Nowak, 18, in Southampton. Vickrum Digwa was jailed for life after falsely claiming self-defence. Farage called for 'pure cold rage' in response to police bodycam footage. Kenyon defended Farage, saying he wasn't calling for violence. Burnham countered: 'The leader of Reform knows the consequences of his words. His words were used by the ringleaders of violence in Southampton.'
