ECHO readers have condemned scenes of violence caught on camera in Liverpool city centre.
Footage posted online shows door staff, near to Lanigan's bar on Ranelagh Street, clashing with members of the public, on Friday, May 21, at around 9pm.
A spokesperson for Lanigan's, an Irish bar, posted a statement on Facebook saying they were "very saddened to see altercations of such magnitude on the street outside our premises".
In the footage a doorman appears to say "go back where you f****** came from" to a member of the public.
The fight between a group of men and security staff then spills into the road, momentarily stopping traffic.
It is reported that around 20 people were involved in the incident.
In a separate video, a doorman is heard saying a man had "punched him in the face" before knocking him to the ground over a chair outside the bar.
Police officers have since arrested two men, aged 27 and 35, both from Northern Ireland, on suspicion of affray.
They were released under investigation pending further enquiries. CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing.
Lanigan's Bar say one of the doormen in the video does not work at the bar. Their full statement can be found below.
Many readers condemned the comment made in the video when a doorman appears to tell the men, understood to be from Northern Ireland, to "go back where they came from".
ECHO user Vulture commented: "Irish always welcome and always have been.. especially in a Irish bar."
They added: "Well the pubs have waited for over a year to allow customers in.. the doorman has had no work for the same time.. it’s an Irish bar and he’s telling the Irish to go back to where they come from.
"I hope he looks at his history and he’ll probably see that he has Irish in him... the Irish are always and have always been welcome in this city."
Phil Dolan said: "Fancy working at an Irish bar and telling two people from Northern Ireland to go back where they came from…"
Rusty Apper added: "Did the bouncer really say that.... wow"
Lanigan’s Irish Bar issued a statement via their Facebook page addressing the incident and condemning the violence which took place outside the premises.
The post read: "On behalf of Lanigan’s Bar Liverpool, we would like to address the scene brought to our attention. Firstly, we do not condone violence of any sort, especially by security staff responsible for the safety of the public.
"We would like to clarify that the bouncer in question is NOT a member of Lanigan’s staff and was NOT working for us on the night in question. He was assisting our bouncers and worked in a completely different venue.
"However, that is no excuse and we are very saddened to see altercations of such magnitude on the street outside our premises. A full comprehensive statement will be released shortly."
Detective Inspector Gary Thomas said: "This was a shocking incident and, although we have made two arrests, we are continuing our enquiries and conducting licensing checks to ensure we find all those responsible.
"This was the first weekend hospitality venues were allowed to open indoors under easing of coronavirus restrictions and we are committed to ensuring that people can enjoy their night out in Liverpool safely, without incidents such as this.
"If you witnessed the incident or have any information then please let us know, either directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers. Any information you hold could be vital to our enquiries."
