Northern Ireland secretary condemns Belfast riots as ‘racist thuggery’ after 12 police officers injured – UK politics live

Riots in Belfast have led to 12 police officers being injured. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn condemned the unrest, describing it as "racist thuggery" due to targeting based on skin color. MP Kim Leadbeater, sister of murdered MP Jo Cox, also denounced the riots, calling the setting alight of homes "absolutely devastating" and urging an end to further trouble. The disorder has continued for a second night, with police deploying water cannons against rioters.

Police in Belfast used water cannon to disperse far-right protesters for a second night following a knife attack involving a Sudanese refugee. The clashes occurred as the victim's family appealed for calm and condemned anti-immigrant violence, stating that their tragedy should not be used to fuel hostility. The suspect, a Sudanese national, appeared in court charged with attempted murder. The unrest, which saw homes and vehicles set ablaze, prompted condemnation from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and calls for social media platforms to combat hate speech. The violence follows a period of heightened tensions in the UK related to immigration.

Police deployed water cannons in Belfast on Wednesday night during a second consecutive night of unrest. The violence erupted following a brutal stabbing on a city street, which has triggered anti-immigrant sentiment. Demonstrators, some wearing masks, hurled bricks, rocks, and bottles at riot police, and set small fires. They also used sledgehammers to smash pavements and tore bricks from walls to use as projectiles, with some protesters taking cover behind sections of a dismantled picket fence. These clashes occurred hours after a 30-year-old man from Sudan appeared in court charged with attempted murder in connection with the stabbing that left a man seriously injured.

A man in his 40s was hospitalized with serious injuries after a knife attack in north Belfast. Police arrested a Sudanese migrant on suspicion of attempted murder. Bystanders intervened in the attack, an action praised by police as "heroic." The suspect reportedly entered Northern Ireland from Dublin and had been granted leave to remain. The incident has prompted political reactions and calls for transparency regarding the suspect's immigration status. Police stated there is no current information suggesting the attack was terrorist-related, but the investigation is ongoing.

A man was seriously injured in a stabbing incident in north Belfast on Monday night. Police arrested a man in his 30s, believed to be of Somalian origin, on suspicion of attempted murder. The victim, in his 40s, was taken to hospital in a serious condition. The Police Service of Northern Ireland declared a critical incident and are investigating the motive. The attack, which occurred outside an apartment complex, was described as "sickening" and "horrific" by Keir Starmer, who stated he has no tolerance for such violence. Members of the public intervened to stop the assault, displaying bravery and community spirit. Authorities are urging against the sharing of graphic footage of the incident.

Police have arrested a Sudanese man in his 30s in connection with a stabbing that occurred late Monday in residential Belfast, Northern Ireland. The victim sustained serious injuries to his face, neck, and back and was taken to the hospital. A kitchen knife was recovered at the scene. The attack gained national attention due to graphic videos circulating online. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office urged for calm following the incident. Authorities are investigating the motive but have stated there is no indication the attack was terrorism-related, and they are not seeking any other suspects. The arrested individual remains in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder.

Belfast experienced two days of anti-immigration violence, described by Britain's minister for the province as "racist thuggery." Police deployed water cannon for a second night to manage rioters. While disorder lessened on Wednesday compared to Tuesday, rioters still targeted a hotel housing asylum seekers outside Belfast. The violence followed a knife attack for which a Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder. On Tuesday, rioters had targeted ethnic minorities and foreign residents, torching homes and vehicles.

Recent acts of violence in Britain, including a murder in Southampton and a stabbing in Belfast, have been exploited by the far-right, increasing tensions and making shared spaces feel contested. This exploitation, amplified by social media platforms like X which face no immediate action to remove inciting posts, has led to disorder and violence, particularly in Belfast where anti-immigration demonstrations resulted in property damage and forced families to flee their homes. While violent crime is declining, hate crime is increasing, with minority communities reporting a worsening atmosphere of hostility that has been normalized in public discourse since Brexit. This has prompted discussions on practical steps to make public spaces safer for all.

Anti-immigrant protests erupted in Belfast, Northern Ireland, after a Sudanese refugee, legally residing in the UK, was charged with attempted murder following a stabbing. Hundreds of masked protesters blocked roads and set fire to vehicles and buildings, leading to resident evacuations. Ministers have attributed the unrest to far-right online agitators stoking racial tensions. This incident occurs amidst rising anti-immigration sentiment in Britain, with populist parties linking asylum policies to security concerns. Northern Ireland has seen an increase in racist incidents, with Amnesty International describing the previous year as a "shameful year of hate." Authorities are urging against sharing graphic content of the stabbing, while some social media accounts linked to "patriots" are reportedly using it to promote anti-immigration protests.

British police have charged 45-year-old Essa Suleiman with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection with the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, on Wednesday. Suleiman also faces attempted murder charges for a separate incident the same day in south London. Following the Golders Green attack, the UK's national terrorism threat level was raised to its second-highest, indicating an attack is "highly likely" within six months. Suleiman was remanded in custody after resisting arrest, which involved the use of a taser and resulted in a violent apprehension that has drawn scrutiny. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged increased protection for the Jewish community.

Following a stabbing attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to combat antisemitism, urging the public to acknowledge "Jewish pain." The UK's terror threat level was raised to "severe," indicating attacks are highly likely, amid rising fear among British Jews due to a string of antisemitic incidents. The suspect in the Golders Green attack, who was previously referred to the Prevent counter-extremism program and cleared, has been arrested. Starmer's visit to the area was met with protests from some who believe he has not done enough to protect the Jewish community. The government's counter-extremism strategy is facing renewed scrutiny following this incident.

Two men were stabbed in north London on Wednesday in an incident that police have now formally classified as a terrorist attack. The stabbings occurred on Highfield Avenue in the Barnet borough, an area with a significant Jewish population. A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody. The victims, aged 76 and 34, were treated for stab wounds and hospitalized. Counterterrorism officers are leading the investigation to determine the motive and whether the Jewish community was deliberately targeted. The suspect also reportedly attacked responding officers before being subdued.

The Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem has raised concerns over escalating attacks on Christians following a brutal assault on a nun. Archbishop Atallah Hanna condemned the incident, where a Jewish man allegedly pushed and kicked a French nun in Jerusalem earlier this week, causing her head injury. He warned that such attacks are part of a recurring pattern threatening the Christian presence in the Holy Land and called for international intervention. Israeli police have arrested a 36-year-old Jewish man suspected of the assault, stating they view violent acts driven by racist motives with utmost severity. The nun, a researcher at the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, did not wish to speak publicly.

Following a suspected terrorist attack in Golders Green, north-west London, where two Jewish men were stabbed, Keir Starmer has called for a "swift, agile and visible" response from the government and criminal justice system. Starmer stated that the victims were targeted for being Jewish and that this was part of a series of attacks on the community, emphasizing that the fight against antisemitism is a collective responsibility. The suspect, a 45-year-old British national born in Somalia, has been arrested. In response, the government announced an additional £25 million investment to enhance security for Jewish communities, including increased police patrols around synagogues and community centers. Ministers also plan to fast-track legislation to pursue individuals and organizations acting on behalf of malign state-sponsored groups.