UK immigration debate intensifies after Belfast attack

The 'Irish route'

His journey to the UK took place under what has become known among people smugglers as the "Irish route", which involves migrants flying to Dublin from Europe, sometimes on false papers, before travelling unchecked to Northern Ireland by land to claim asylum. Under arrangements negotiated following Brexit, the UK and Ireland share a common travel agreement that allows free movement across the border without routine immigration checks.

The UK Home Office has subsequently confirmed that Alodid was granted refugee status upon arrival in the UK and leave to remain until 2028. The ease with which he appears to have made his way to the UK is likely to prompt criticism of European countries, particularly France, over the policing of their borders. France recently signed up to a new cooperation pact with the UK to tackle migration issues after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood agreed a £662m deal with France to fight illegal migration.

Starmer described the attack as "sickening", adding: "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 combination of the ferocity of the attack, with eye-witnesses claiming Alodid attempted to behead his victim, as well as the political controversy, has resulted in Belfast witnessing some of its worst violence in recent times.

In the latest clashes, police used water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse masked rioters who attempted to attack a migrant hotel on the outskirts of Belfast. This followed reports that agitators had drawn up a "hit list" of migrant homes for protesters to target.

This followed the first night of disorder, which broke out after the attack, which saw protesters seek out migrants' homes, torch properties and set police cars alight. The sudden eruption of violence has brought Belfast to a standstill, with trains and buses cancelled, some schools closed, and the city centre deserted.

Police officials said that they had been contacted by several "extremely distressed" families whose homes were on the alleged hit list and warned that those sharing the document "may be committing a criminal offence". There are also concerns that outside agitators have travelled to the province to take part in the unrest, prompting the Chief Constable to urge the public to resist calls for protests issued by people "who know nothing about Northern Ireland".

Mr Boucher told reporters: "I understand last night's attempted murder will leave people feeling enraged with emotions from fear to anger, but please, please let the PSNI, let the police do their job, unfettered and undistracted by wider concerns."

Starmer under fire

The violent scenes in Belfast certainly present a significant challenge for Starmer's government, which has faced constant criticism over its handling of the migration issue. The pressure on Starmer to take more effective measures will have increased, moreover, following comments made by the UK's terror watchdog, who has warned that immigration needs to be treated as a national security threat after violent attacks by migrants on Britain's streets.

Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terror legislation, said violence by newly arrived migrants was "becoming more relevant" to national security after a Sudanese asylum seeker was charged over a knife attack in Belfast.  He added that the attack in Northern Ireland had been "extraordinarily destabilising" and had "huge ramifications" with widespread violence on the city's streets and the homes of "black and brown" people being targeted by mobs.

The attack comes amid heightened tension in the wake of the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton, with some activists linking the two incidents to criticise immigration and integration. Mr Nowak, an 18-year-old student, was killed by Vickrum Digwa, 23, in December last year, using a knife he said he carried as part of his Sikh religion. The attack prompted a controversial intervention by Elon Musk, who wrote on his X account, "Only by protesting REPEATEDLY and LOUDLY will there be any change!!"