From
4d ago
Closing summary
That’s it for our coverage today and we will close the blog.
Here’s a recap of the news:
Stephen Ogilvie’s family expressed their “disgust” at scenes of violence during a second night of disorder in Northern Ireland .
“We have been left feeling disgusted by the scenes that unfolded yesterday across Northern Ireland in the wake of what happened,” the family said in a statement issued via police . “We want to make it absolutely clear that to do this in response is not supported by our family, and peaceful protest is only ever the way forward.”
Police deployed water cannons on protesters in Co Antrim after they were pelted with bricks . A large department for infrastructure vehicle was set alight as demonstrators confronted police near the Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey, north-west of Belfast.
Videos on social media showed protesters attempting to march to the Chimney Corner Hotel, with riot police and several vans deployed to manage the demonstrations.
Rioters attempted to set fire to a property near a petrol station in the same area, with some throwing petrol bombs at police lines .
Cabinet Office minister Baroness Anderson told the House of Lords that 27 people were made homeless on Tuesday night “because people went door-to-door to try and target foreign nationals to burn them out of their homes”.
Social media platform X is among those to have been contacted by the communications regulator Ofcom about online content potentially linked to scenes of violence in Northern Ireland. Elon Musk rejected claims that he is to blame for inciting disorder in Belfast.
Keir Starmer has vowed to “crack down on anyone who is fuelling this division”.
Key events
4d ago
Closing summary
4d ago
Protesters around Antrim Road subdued and dispersed
4d ago
Knife attack victim's family says sharing of disinformation 'deeply distressing'
4d ago
Bricks, bins and traffic cones launched towards police
4d ago
Musk's X won't need to remove posts inciting violence for at least two months
4d ago
Disorder reported by police in Derry
4d ago
27 people made homeless last night in Belfast because rioters burning foreigners out of their homes, minister says
4d ago
Burnham says he favours cap on political donations
4d ago
Farage claims Reform UK has not dropped its support for PR, saying he would be 'open' to AV plus version
4d ago
Liz Kendall says government will legislate to cut time given to social media companies to remove illegal material
4d ago
Farage claims letting Commonwealth citizens vote in parliamentary elections 'doesn't work in age of mass migration'
4d ago
'So what?' - Farage defends Reform UK's Makerfield candidate over past offensive comments on social media
4d ago
Rayner says she 'won't rest' until Mahmood exempts care workers from proposed retrospective change to ILR rules
4d ago
Musk rejects claim he is to blame for inciting disorder in Belfast
4d ago
Reform UK's deputy leader in Scotland criticised for encouraging further protests after Belfast stabbing
4d ago
Farage claims 'vast majority' of people on streets in Belfast last night were not extremists, just concerned people
4d ago
Farage says Reform UK would raise threshold for businesses to register for VAT from £90,000 to £150,000, at cost of £2bn
4d ago
Minister agrees to investigate claim that young people in Northern Ireland being 'groomed' into rioting
4d ago
SDLP leader Claire Hanna criticises those calling for 'hardened border on island of Ireland'
4d ago
UN human rights chief says anti-migrant violence in Southampton and Belfast 'shocking', blaming social media 'incitement'
4d ago
No 10 declines to say what Starmer meant by PMQs pledge to crack down on people like Musk fuelling division online
4d ago
Racist violence in Glasgow last night left five people, including two police officers, injured, Police Scotland says
4d ago
Sinn Féin's president Mary Lou McDonald says Belfast rioting 'orchestrated by loyalist and far-right thugs'
4d ago
Hilary Benn says getting rid of common travel area not solution to illegal migration problems in Ireland
4d ago
PSNI ready to deploy another 200 officers to quell disorder in Northern Ireland, chief constable says
4d ago
Family of Belfast knife attack victim appeal for calm, in statement stressing 'valuable contribution' migrants make
4d ago
DUP leader Gavin Robinson condemns 'medieval' attack and says 'open, porous border' should be closed
4d ago
Starmer says government will crack down on people 'fuelling division', after Ed Davey condemns Musk over X posts
4d ago
Starmer avoids question about higher defence spending will be funded
4d ago
Starmer says violence in Belfast 'totally unjustified'
4d ago
Starmer faces Badenoch at PMQs
4d ago
Labour rejects Tice's explanation as to why Farage avoiding holding press conferences
4d ago
John Swinney and other Scottish party leader condemn racist disorder in Glasgow
4d ago
Judge warns anyone taking part in further diso…
Read the full article at The Guardian (UK) →📄Source document: Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)→54 reports
Daily MirrorParty-alignedCenter2 days ago Attorney General's office to quit X over concerns about far-right disinformationThe Attorney General's office in the UK has decided to cease using the X social media platform due to concerns about its role in spreading disinformation. The decision follows warnings to government officials against using the platform, which is owned by Elon Musk. The move comes amid increased scrutiny of X's role in amplifying far-right content and calls for violence. The attorney general, Richard Hermer, reportedly instructed his office to avoid posting updates on X, marking the first instance of a government department discontinuing use of the platform.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the decision by the Attorney General's office to stop using X without overtly favoring one side. It includes both the concerns raised about the platform's role in spreading disinformation and mentions criticisms of Elon Musk's views, while also noting previous justifications for
The Guardian (UK)IndependentCenter3 days ago UK attorney general tells department to stop using X amid disinformation concernsThe UK attorney general, Richard Hermer, has instructed his department to cease using X (formerly Twitter), becoming the first UK government department to do so due to concerns about the platform's role in spreading disinformation and inciting violence. This decision follows recent incidents of unrest in Southampton and Belfast. While the government has previously defended the use of X for public communication, Hermer's department is taking a different approach, focusing on reducing exposure to harmful content.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring one side. It reports on the attorney general's decision to stop using X, citing concerns about disinformation and violence, while noting the government's previous defense of the platform. The tone remains neutral, presenting both the rationale for禁
BBC News (World)State / PublicCenter5 days ago German broadcaster removes TV intro after Elon Musk takes legal actionGerman public broadcaster ZDF has removed part of a report that claimed Elon Musk had called for migrants to be hunted in Northern Ireland. ZDF admitted the wording was 'misleading,' while Musk stated legal action would be taken against them for 'outrageous lies.' The report was related to violence in Belfast following a knife attack that led to unrest and property damage. Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist, had shared protest plans on Musk's social media platform.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both ZDF's admission of misleading wording and Musk's claim of legal action without taking a stance on who is at fault. It includes quotes from both parties involved and provides context about the incident in Belfast. There is no overtly biased language or selective sourcing.
Official sources cited
- organisation ZDF statement regarding the report
- organisation Elon Musk's statement on legal action
The IndependentIndependentCenter6 days ago Sadiq Khan takes on Trump and Vance as he launches £7m campaign to battle ‘scourge’ of disinformation about LondonLondon Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a £7 million campaign aimed at countering what he describes as a 'global scourge' of online disinformation targeting London's reputation. The initiative focuses on promoting the city's cultural and economic strengths globally. The campaign comes amid increased social media content portraying London negatively, according to a report by the Greater London Authority. The article references disinformation related to figures such as Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the launch of a public relations campaign without overtly favoring any political side. It includes quotes from Sadiq Khan and mentions specific examples of disinformation but does not exhibit biased language or selective sourcing.
Official sources cited
- government Greater London Authority Report
- organisation Full Fact
The IndependentIndependentCenter8 days ago Elon Musk accused of amplifying anti-migrant content to more than 60 million on X amid Belfast disorderElon Musk's posts on X regarding the disorder in Belfast have received over 60 million views.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual statement without opinion, framing, or contextualization that would indicate a political lean. It simply reports the number of views Musk's posts received.
The Guardian (UK)IndependentCenter9 days ago ‘My kids are crying’: list of targeted addresses stokes fears across BelfastA list of addresses circulated on social media in Belfast has caused fear among residents, particularly those living in HMOs where immigrants reside. Two Eritrean refugees, Joseph and Solomon, expressed concern after their address appeared on the list, prompting them to consider leaving Belfast for safety. The situation has led to increased anxiety and uncertainty within the community.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the events objectively without overtly favoring any side. It includes direct quotes from affected individuals and does not use biased language or selectively omit context. The focus is on the impact of the address list on residents rather than taking a stance on immigration or政治
New StatesmanIndependentLeft10 days ago The far right are stoking the violence in BelfastThe article claims that far-right groups are inciting violence in Belfast.
Bias read (Left): The headline and summary directly accuse 'far right' actors of stoking violence, which implies a specific ideological stance against such groups without providing balanced context or counter-narratives. This framing aligns with left-leaning perspectives that often critique far-right movements.
Daily MirrorParty-alignedCenter10 days ago Belfast attack victim Stephen Ogilvie’s family issue major update on his conditionThe family of Stephen Ogilvie, a victim of a knife attack in Belfast, provided an update stating he is in stable condition and emphasized their focus on his recovery. They criticized the spread of false information on social media and called for an end to the violence in the city.
Bias read (Center): The article reports factual updates from the victim's family regarding their condition and concerns about misinformation. It does not present any overt ideological framing, loaded language, or biased sourcing. The content remains neutral in tone and focuses on conveying the family's statements and诉求
Official sources cited
- government PSNI Statement
The Guardian (UK)IndependentCenter10 days ago Water cannon deployed in second night of disorder after knife attack in Belfast – liveThe article reports on the deployment of water cannons by police during a second night of disorder in Northern Ireland following a knife attack in Belfast. Protesters clashed with authorities, with incidents including the setting alight of a government vehicle and attempts to damage properties. Stephen Ogilvie's family condemned the violence, emphasizing support for peaceful protest. Cabinet Office minister Baroness Anderson stated that 27 people were made homeless due to targeted attacks against foreign nationals.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced account of events without overtly favoring any side. It includes statements from both protesters' families and government officials, presenting multiple perspectives without editorializing or biased language.
Official sources cited
- organisation Stephen Ogilvie's family statement
- government Baroness Anderson, Cabinet Office minister
The Guardian (UK)IndependentCenter10 days ago Elon Musk’s X not facing action from UK government over posts inciting violence in BelfastThe UK government has decided not to take immediate action against Elon Musk's X platform regarding posts that incited violence in Belfast, despite public outcry. Concerns about social media's role in spreading harmful content and escalating tensions have increased following recent unrest in Northern Ireland. Police and community leaders are urging calm, fearing a repeat of the violence seen earlier in the week. The government plans to amend the Online Safety Act to require faster removal of inflammatory content during crises, but these changes won't take effect until mid-July. In the interim,
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring one side. It reports on the UK government's decision not to take immediate action against X, mentions concerns raised by officials and community leaders, and outlines planned legislative changes. The language remains neutral, avoiding loaded terms.
Novara MediaIndependentCenter10 days ago Anti-Immigrant Violence Engulfs BelfastAnti-immigrant violence occurs in Belfast after a knife attack. Additional segments cover U.S. military actions against Iran and an interview with the mother of a Palestine Action activist who was held in solitary confinement.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on anti-immigrant violence without overtly favoring any political perspective. It includes additional geopolitical and social content but does not exhibit clear ideological framing or biased language.
ReutersIndependentCenter10 days ago Knife attack victim's family calls for calm after anti-immigrant violence in BelfastThe family of a knife attack victim has called for calm following incidents of anti-immigrant violence in Belfast.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a call for calm by a family affected by a knife attack amid anti-immigrant violence without taking a stance or using biased language. It presents the situation factually without apparent ideological framing.
BBC News (UK)State / PublicCenter11 days ago How a knife attack sparked a night of violence in BelfastViolence erupted in Belfast following a knife attack on Stephen Ogilvy, who suffered serious injuries. The suspect, Hadi Alodid, faces charges including attempted murder and possession of a knife. The BBC reported on the subsequent disorder, including attacks on shops, homes, and public transport.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of events without overtly favoring any political perspective. It focuses on the incident itself, the legal actions taken against the suspect, and the resulting violence, without using biased language or selective sourcing.
Official sources cited
- court Belfast Magistrates' Court
iNewsIndependentLeft11 days ago Belfast’s racist riots expose a toxic truthFollowing a stabbing incident involving a Sudanese national in Belfast, racial minorities including Muslims, Hindus, and Ukrainians faced targeted attacks in Protestant areas of Belfast and nearby towns. The incidents suggest a shift from historical anti-Catholic sectarianism to anti-migrant racism. Local witnesses reported small groups of rioters, with no evidence of organized paramilitary involvement. Social media played a role in organizing the protests, allowing authorities to anticipate locations of potential unrest.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the riots as a result of 'toxic past' and 'reopening wounds,' emphasizing systemic issues and historical grievances without providing balanced counter-narratives. It highlights marginalized communities and critiques societal divisions, aligning with progressive perspectives on ine
BBC News (UK)State / PublicRight11 days ago Belfast knife attack disorder 'destabilising', says terror adviserA knife attack in Belfast led to disorder, prompting Jonathan Hall KC, the UK's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, to suggest it is legitimate to consider the impact of migration on national security. He noted that while the attack itself may not constitute a national security threat, its aftermath—particularly the displacement of Black and Brown communities—has been highly destabilizing. Hall also mentioned the lack of response to Donald Trump's National Security Strategy, which criticized European migration policies.
Bias read (Right): The article frames the discussion around migration and national security in a manner that emphasizes potential risks associated with recent migrants, particularly highlighting the displacement of minority communities. The focus on linking migration to national security concerns aligns with right-of-
Official sources cited
- government Jonathan Hall KC
BBC News (UK)State / PublicCenter11 days ago Torched homes and vehicles: Destruction after Belfast unrestViolent protests erupted in Belfast on Tuesday evening, resulting in the destruction of homes, vehicles, and bins. The unrest followed a violent knife attack on Monday that left a man seriously injured. A 30-year-old Sudanese man, Hadi Alodid, has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack. Several families have been displaced, with some losing their homes to fires. Authorities have urged calm, deploying additional police and closing public transport early in anticipation of further unrest.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on events objectively, including details about the incident, charges brought against the suspect, and the impact on affected individuals. There is no clear emphasis on one side of the issue, no
BBC News (UK)State / PublicCenter11 days ago Three arrested over Glasgow disorder and racist assaults after Belfast knife attackThree men were arrested and charged following disorder and racist assaults in Glasgow, which occurred after a knife attack in Belfast. Police reported that individuals were attacked due to the color of their skin, and several streets were closed during the incident. The alleged attacker in Belfast had been granted refugee status in 2023. Authorities also handled smaller, peaceful protests in other Scottish cities without making any arrests.
Bias read (Center): The article presents facts about the arrests, the nature of the attacks, and police responses without overtly favoring one side. It includes quotes from officials and provides details about both the incidents in Glasgow and Belfast. There is no clear ideological framing or biased language.
Official sources cited
- government Police Scotland
- government Home Office
The Guardian (UK)IndependentCenter11 days ago The view from Belfast after a night of violent protests - The LatestViolence broke out in Northern Ireland following a stabbing incident in Belfast, with crowds burning vehicles and homes. The unrest occurred hours after figures such as Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson urged people to protest.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on events without overtly favoring any political side. It mentions the occurrence of violence and references individuals who encouraged protests but does not present a clear ideological slant in its language or emphasis.
The IndependentIndependentCenter11 days ago ‘Hero’ bystander who fought off Belfast knifeman with hurling stick ‘glad’ he intervenedA bystander named Maitiu Mag Tighearnan used a hurling stick to intervene during a knife attack in Belfast, protecting a victim who sustained serious injuries. The attacker, a 30-year-old Sudanese asylum seeker, has been charged with attempted murder. Over £18,000 has been raised in support of Mag Tighearnan. The incident led to protests and unrest in Belfast.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an event involving a physical intervention during a violent crime, with no explicit political commentary, framing, or emphasis on partisan issues. It focuses on the actions of a bystander, the legal consequences for the attacker, and public response, without leaning toward any
ReutersIndependentCenter11 days ago Belfast's anti-migration violence brings back dark memories of the 'Troubles'The article discusses recent anti-migration violence in Belfast and draws comparisons to the historical conflict known as the 'Troubles'.
Bias read (Center): The article does not exhibit clear bias in its framing. It references historical events without overtly favoring one perspective over another.