Belfast disorder: Sir Keir Starmer vows to crack down on 'anyone fuelling division'

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to “crack down on anyone who is fuelling this division” amid criticism of Elon Musk and social media’s role in the night of violence in Belfast.

The billionaire X owner, who continued overnight to promote calls for people to take to the streets in response to Monday’s knife attack, hit back at accusations he was inflaming tensions and blamed immigration policy.

Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, was remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with attempted murder over the stabbing attack in which victim Stephen Ogilvie lost his left eye.

The reaction to the incident saw thugs set homes, a bus and cars on fire, with people targeted based on their race.

Terrified children were driven from their beds, as arson attacks were carried out on family homes.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: “Reports that ethnic minorities were targeted are sickening.”

Police in Northern Ireland are braced for further violence in the wake of the attack, which was captured on video and has been widely shared online.

Police forces across the UK are monitoring intelligence on protests and have plans in place to allow them to mobilise officers should further disorder break out.

A spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs Council said: “Police are closely monitoring intelligence and information on protest activity to ensure a swift and decisive response to any reports of public disorder.

“We have well-established plans in place to enable us to mobilise officers at a regional and national level if required.”

At Prime Minister Questions earlier today, Sir Keir said “there is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it, online or elsewhere.”

He called the rioting “shocking and completely unacceptable”.

“It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate it,” he said.

“Those responsible will feel the full force of the law.”

Mr Musk shared lists on X of locations where protests could take place – also posted by activist Tommy Robinson – and retweeted Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe’s post saying “Millions must go” with a screengrab of footage of the knife attack.

Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, repeatedly posted on X about the unfolding disorder, saying “foreign businesses are being destroyed in Belfast” and that homes suspected of housing asylum seekers “are getting trashed by angry locals”.

Concerns have also been raised about messages encouraging disorder being forwarded many times on WhatsApp.

One message said to have circulated overnight urged men of the age of 18 and over to “wear dark clothing and be prepared to fight or be arrested”.

The violence in Belfast comes less than two years after riots rippled across the UK in the summer of 2024, after Axel Rudakubana killed three girls at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport.

Protesters clashed with police in Leeds, Hull and Middlesbrough following the murder.

Some of the most shocking scenes were at a Holiday Inn, in Manvers, near Rotherham, where hooligans started setting the hotel on fire, which was housing asylum seekers.

In the investigation that followed, at least 86 people were charged and over 150 years’ worth of jail sentences handed down.

Asked about the prospect of further violence, South Yorkshire Police said it was in “continuous engagement with our communities through neighbourhood policing teams, independent advisory groups, and local networks”.

It added: “We closely monitor community tensions across the force area and carry out regular reviews to inform how we can best serve residents.

“People are free to express their views, and we know that the vast majority will do so in a peaceful and respectful manner.

“If anyone does choose to engage in crime and disorder, we will respond proportionately and appropriately to uphold the law and protect our communities.”