Keir Starmer condemns ‘sickening’ Belfast attack after man seriously injured in stabbing

Sir Keir Starmer and police have called for calm after a stabbing attack condemned as “sickening” by the prime minister sent shockwaves through Belfast.

Officers have declared a critical incident in response to the attack, which took place on Monday night on Kinnaird Avenue, a residential part of the city.

Horrifying video circulating online, which is too graphic to publish in full, appears to show a man with a knife pinning another man down on the ground and repeatedly stabbing him.

Bystanders intervened, hitting the attacker over the head with a hurling stick, in an act which police say “undoubtedly saved the man’s life”.

A man in his 30s, who police say is Sudanese asylum seeker, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said. Police believe the suspect had leave to remain in Northern Ireland after arriving in the UK from Dublin.

Read all the latest updates on the investigation in here

The victim, a man in his 40s, has been left with “significant injuries” to his eyes, face and back and remains in a serious condition after he was attacked with a kitchen knife, police said.

Responding to the attack, Sir Keir said in a statement: “The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening. I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.

“My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.”

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said it was the police’s understanding that the suspect had been granted leave to remain, having travelled from Sudan to Paris at dates unknown, before flying to Dublin. He then travelled from Dublin to Belfast by bus on 10 February 2023 and claimed asylum on that date.

“There is no trace of this suspect on any of our national security databases, and he was not known to the Police Service of Northern Ireland,” he said.

He warned people against being influenced “from afar through social media” amid calls for protests in response to the attack from far-right agitators such as Tommy Robinson. He called for the public to allow police to work “unfettered and undistracted by wider concerns there may be about disorder”.

“We understand the community concern, but this is a time for calm heads to allow the police to do their job, it is not a time for protest. Bringing disruption on to the streets and into communities will serve no purpose. …As a community we must stand united against hatred and against violence,” he added.

In an update to the investigation on Tuesday, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said there was no evidence of a terror link at this stage but detectives were keeping an open mind over the motive behind the “brutal” attack. He said detectives were not looking for anyone else in connection with the stabbing.

He said he shared the “public revulsion” over the nature of the attack but issued an appeal for order after calls for protests.

“I understand that last night’s attempted murder will leave people feeling a range of emotions from fear to anger,” he said, before adding that there should be no repeat of disorder previously seen in the city.

“No one needs to see a repeat of this. This only causes damage to the community, and unfortunately, young people often get caught up in that disorder, so I appeal for calm and the safety of all of our communities in response to this.

“All of our focus must be on a criminal justice investigation.”

Downing Street also said “it is time for calm”, adding: “It’s important that police have the time and space to investigate appropriately”. Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn said it was “innocent people who suffer” when political leaders failed to reduce tensions.

Speaking in the House of Commons earlier on Tuesday, Mr Benn praised the actions of those who had intervened to try and halt the attack before police arrived.

Referring to the video, he said: “Members of the public did not walk on by, instead a number of them stepped forward and at immense risk to their own safety they intervened to pull the assailant away and protect the victim until the police arrived.

“I would like to say this: you showed the very best of humanity and you have the gratitude of this entire house.”

Mr Henderson also praised those who intervened.

“Our officers were on the scene within minutes and we wish to acknowledge the members of the public who strived to save the man from further attack. Their willingness to step forward to help another person shows incredible bravery and community spirit,” he said.

Political representatives expressed the shock felt in the local community.

Stormont First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the person responsible for the attack “must face the full force of the law” and urged the public not to jump to assumptions about the suspect’s immigration status.

She added: “My message today is one of calm and don’t allow those people that don’t care about people here to incite hatred, to incite fear.

“Don’t allow those people who are faceless to orchestrate campaigns on the streets.”

North Belfast MP John Finucane said his thoughts were with the victim. He said: “I am shocked following a horrific attack in north Belfast last night.

“My thoughts are with the individual who has been taken to hospital following serious injuries, and I hope they make a full recovery.”

Local DUP councillor Jordan Doran said he was “left shocked and deeply concerned” by footage circulating online following the stabbing.

“Many residents have contacted me expressing concerns about community safety and seeking reassurance following this incident,” he said.

“Those concerns are entirely understandable. People deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities, regardless of where they live.”

The scene outside an apartment complex off Kinnaird Avenue in the lower Antrim Road area remained cordoned off on Tuesday, with markers visible on the ground where the attack had taken place.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam or CCTV footage has been urged to contact police.