Belfast attack live: Protesters blasted with water cannon during second night of violence

Online figures such as Tommy Robinson provide “really easy narratives” that have helped to fuel disorder in Belfast, a researcher has said.

Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, continually posted on X during Tuesday night, commenting that “Belfast is burning with rage tonight” and “It’s happening. Unite”.

Dr Darja Wischerath, from the University of Bath’s Institute of Digital Security and Behaviour (IDSB), analysed the impact of Robinson’s public Telegram channel on rioting in the summer of 2024. In July and August of that year, widespread unrest and disorder was seen across the UK in response to the Southport murders.

The researchers found that Robinson used his Telegram channel to comment on ongoing events and legitimise violence during the anti-immigration protests and riots without ever giving direct instructions, allowing him to maintain plausible deniability.

Dr Wischerath told PA: “They establish this parasocial relationship with their audience, which already puts them in a position where they are kind of a really good authority on all of the things that are going on in the world and are already trusted more both cognitively and emotionally”.