Man seriously injured in Belfast stabbing Starmer describes as ‘sickening’

Prime minister says he has no tolerance for such attacks after man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

Police in Northern Ireland have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder and declared a critical incident after a stabbing in Belfast.

The suspect was in custody and the victim was in a serious condition in hospital after the attack on Monday night that prompted widespread shock and condemnation.

Keir Starmer called the attack horrific and 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.”

The attack happened at about 10.30pm on Monday outside ablock of flats in north Belfast. Graphic video shared on social media showed a man straddling another man on the ground and striking at his head and neck. The clip showed people intervening to stop the assault, with one man using a hurling stick against the attacker.

The attack was likely to have been carried out with a kitchen knife, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said, after one was retrieved from the scene. It is understood there is no indication at this stage that it had a terrorist motive.

Police said the arrested man was believed to be Sudanese and in his 30s. They had initially said he was thought to be from Somalia.

The victim, who has not been named, is in his 40s.

The assistant chief constable, Ryan Henderson, told reporters the suspect was in the country legally: “My understanding is the individual was given leave to remain in Northern Ireland, but my colleagues in the Home Office will be confirming more details of his status in coming hours.” He said the man came to Belfast from Dublin.

Henderson said police had declared a critical incident and were investigating the motive. “This brutal attack will have sent shock waves through the community, causing real concern. I want to reassure the local community that we are treating this attack with the utmost seriousness.”

He said officers were at the scene within minutes. “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.”

Henderson urged people to not share or repost images or footage of the assault. “Doing so risks causing further trauma to the injured man’s loved ones and may impact the ongoing investigation.”

Naomi Long, the Stormont justice minister, echoed the appeal, saying the images were “deeply disturbing and traumatising to view”.

John Finucane, the Sinn Féin MP for north Belfast, visited the scene on Tuesday morning and called the attack “appalling”.

Gavin Robinson, the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader, asked police to clarify the circumstances of the incident to combat misinformation. “This was medieval,” he told the BBC. “This was a systematic mutilation of a human being on the streets of Belfast.”

In a social media post, Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said authorities must immediately disclose the suspect’s identity and immigration status.

It is understood that the PSNI has held emergency meetings to draw up plans for how to deal with any unrest, after far-right figures online called for people to take to the streets wearing masks.

Henderson said there would be an “increased police presence” across Northern Ireland in case of unrest. “People will feel a range of emotions from fear to anger,” he said.

Social media posts being circulated online show protest groups calling for businesses in the area to shut by 5.30pm on Tuesday, and listing many roads that would be unofficially “closed” by protesters.

Henderson said businesses should be able to open, but added they may take the decision to close. He said: “Our officers have a role to facilitate and accommodate peaceful protest. Everyone in Northern Ireland will sadly remember disorder which took place over the last two years. No one needs to see a repeat of this. I appeal for calm and the safety of all of our communities.”

The Northern Ireland secretary, Hilary Benn, said that protests were “not going to help anyone” because they would “stretch police resources”.

During an urgent question in the UK parliament he said he could not provide any information about the alleged perpetrator’s immigration status, after the DUP leader, Gavin Robinson, called for him to be immediately deported. Robinson said the man “abused the privilege” of living in Northern Ireland and needed to be “convicted and deported on the first flight out, on a one-way ticket”.

Benn said the Home Office was working with the PSNI.

He said: “There is a proper procedure that needs to be followed in relation to the release of information. It is a live investigation. I think it is right and proper that the police lead on that, and that is why it is the police who have been in touch with the Home Office and will provide further information.”