PRIME Minister Keir Starmer has condemned violent scenes that erupted in Belfast following a knife attack.
In a post on X, he said he will “not tolerate” violence against people “because of their background” following unrest in the Northern Irish capital on Tuesday night.
Protesters set fire to houses, buses and cars in Belfast as disorder flared at an anti-immigration demonstration, with hundreds gathering in Glasgow and Ayr , as well as a smaller number in Edinburgh and Aberdeen .
Starmer said: “The scenes in Belfast last night were shocking and completely unacceptable.
“There is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it, online or elsewhere. It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate it.
“Those responsible will feel the full force of the law. I’ve spoken to the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to convey my thanks to them and the frontline emergency services for their bravery in keeping people safe.
“I’ve also spoken to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to discuss the ongoing situation. Appealing for calm must be the priority, and that is what I urge now. We must let the police get on with their work.”
Violence erupted after a man was stabbed in Belfast on Monday night.
The scenes in Belfast last night were shocking and completely unacceptable. There is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it, online or elsewhere. It is clear that people were targeted last night…
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 10, 2026
Suspect Hadi Alodid appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court on Wednesday and has been remanded in custody for four weeks after being charged with the attempted stabbing murder of Stephen Ogilvie, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.
The victim of the stabbing lost his left eye in the attack, the court heard.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the disorder seen in Belfast was a “huge act of self-harm by mindless idiots who are actually only damaging their own futures”.
He told the BBC’s Good Morning Ulster: “We lobbied continually for people to recognise how great Northern Ireland is.
“Last night took us back seismically.”
Anti-immigration demonstrations took place across Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening, with a number descending into disorder.
A Glider bus was set alight in east Belfast, prompting all bus and train services to be suspended.
In Lendrick Street in Belfast, several cars were set alight and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service officers had to remove some residents from houses after they caught fire.
A number of houses and vehicles were set on fire near the Ligoniel Road area of Belfast and a police car was set alight in Portadown.
In Scotland, protesters gathered in Glasgow's Buchanan Street. Many of them were masked men who called for an "end to mass immigration" while holding signs and banners with slogans including "Scotland for the Scottish".
A large number of police officers were deployed in Glasgow and diverted the protesters away from the city centre. A number of streets and bridges were also closed.
In Edinburgh's Princes Street, men could be seen in footage online with Saltires and Union Flags, as well as flares, and could be heard shouting: " Keir Starmer 's a w*nker".
About 100 also staged a demonstration in Ayr .
