Appeals for calm as social media stokes tensions after Belfast attack

By David Hughes and Margaret Davis, Press Association

Northern Ireland’s police chief urged people not to “duped” into violent disorder by social media in the wake of the Belfast knife attack.

Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Jon Boutcher’s comments came as far-right activist Tommy Robinson and tech billionaire Elon Musk amplified calls for people to take to the streets in response to the incident.

A Sudanese man who was given leave to remain in the UK until 2028 has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the attack.

The victim, aged in his 40s, was left with serious injuries to his eyes, back and face after he was slashed with a kitchen knife in a residential area close to Antrim Road on Monday.

Boutcher said: “Where there are any concerns about immigration, let’s have those through a political debate.

“Let the criminal justice process take its course and let’s just remember that all of our communities in Northern Ireland almost entirely contribute positively to this place and don’t be fooled or duped into a trap by people online inciting awful behaviour.”

He said the “toxic” nature online risked “people doing things that they would not ordinarily do”.

He added: “Do not let people who know nothing about Northern Ireland impact on the behaviours of our people in Northern Ireland from afar through social media.

“Remember the actions of those members of the public, they truly define our society in Northern Ireland, they saved a man’s life last night.

“Do not let the actions of that man impact on any further harm to anybody else in Northern Ireland.”

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “To all those people out there that are stoking up tensions, particularly in that social media space, who have no care or interest in the people here, but are happy to raise tensions, I say they do not represent us.”

Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister Naomi Long said there are “bad faith actors who want to stir trouble”.

She said: “The only people who will be harmed if there is unrest on our streets are innocent people.”

Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, posted lists of locations where protests may take place, saying “the whole of the United Kingdom is hitting the streets tonight” following “another invader attack on our people”.

Musk, posting on his X social media site, said: “Only by protesting repeatedly and loudly will there be any change!!”

And he reposted a video of him saying “you either fight back or you die” with the words: “That’s what it comes down to.”

O’Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Long all appealed for calm at a joint Stormont press conference with Boutcher.

There were also appeals for calm from across the political spectrum at Westminster.

Downing Street said “it’s important that police have the time and space to investigate appropriately”, while DUP leader Gavin Robinson said there was a “collective desire for calm”.

Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice said: “Calm is essential following the brutal attack in Belfast last night.”