'A 21st Century Pogrom': Migrant Families Burned Out Of Their Homes After Belfast Knife Attack

The Huffington Post

'A 21st Century Pogrom': Migrant Families Burned Out Of Their Homes After Belfast Knife Attack

A man walks down a street after rioting broke out late Tuesday, in east Belfast, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, following a stabbing incident. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) Keir Starmer has said racist rioters “will feel the full force of the law” after migrant families were burned out of their Belfast homes in a “21st century pogrom”. Violence erupted during protests in the wake of a brutal knife attack in the city on Monday night. Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder over the attack, in which victim Stephen Ogilvie lost an eye. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is braced for more violence with further protests due to take place. Several homes were set on fire during Tuesday’s nights riots, with those from ethnic minority backgrounds apparently targeted. Security minister Dan Jarvis told MPs: “Reports that ethnic minorities were targeted are sickening.” At prime minister’s questions, Starmer said: “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.” Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told the Commons “no-one has a right to burn families out of their homes” Northern Ireland’s justice minister, Naomi Long, said social media agitators were “weaponising the fear that people genuinely have about what happened”. “Because, ultimately, if you’re driving people from their homes based on nothing but the colour of their skin, you can’t dress that up any other way, it’s racism, and those bad faith actors need to take a step back,” she said. Three people have been arrested following the disorder, with more expected to follow. Claire Hanna, the SDLP MP for Belfast South and Mid Down, told BBC’s Newsnight: “What you are seeing is a race-based pogrom. “We’re seeing men going door to door asking to get the foreigners out, based exclusively on the colour of their skin. “It’s not based on what they’re contributing to society, what their status here is, and it’s terrifying for people in Belfast.” . @ClaireHanna : "What you're seeing is a race base pogrom" pic.twitter.com/tQYjjXQwof — Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) June 10, 2026 In a post on X, Jeremy Corbyn’s Your Party accused right-wing politicians like Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe of “whipping up hatred”. They said: “Other politicians give ground or join them. Racism is normalised. And it ends in gangs of masked men hunting migrants and burning homes. A 21st century pogrom.” So this is where it leads. Awful crimes are exploited by Farage and Lowe to whip up hatred. Other politicians give ground or join them. Racism is normalised. And it ends in gangs of masked men hunting migrants and burning homes. A 21st century pogrom. pic.twitter.com/S93bYPjrrB — Your Party (@thisisyourparty) June 10, 2026 Farage himself has yet to condemn Tuesday night’s violence, but Reform deputy leader Richard Tice said at PMQs: “We all condemn, of course, the appalling violence in Belfast last night after the horrific attack on Monday. “But this prime minister is in denial of the rising despair across the country over his failure to stop the boats … his failure to recognise two-tier policing, his failures over (Lord Peter) Mandelson, his failures under the scourge of antisemitism. “He’s lost the confidence of the country, his own trade union members and his own very quiet backbenchers. “When will he do the right thing and when will this prime minister resign?” Starmer hit back: “We have a very difficult situation in Northern Ireland, where families and communities are extremely frightened. “What do they do? They try to whip up fear and division, ’cause that’s all they’ve got.” Subscribe to Commons People , the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Elon Musk Condemned For Trying To 'Whip Up Unrest' In UK After Belfast Knife Attack Robert Jenrick Hit With Brutal X Community Note Over His Response To Belfast Knife Attack 'Outright Thuggery': Politicians Condemn Violent Disorder Following Belfast Knife Attack

Go to News Site

Google Play

App Store