Sir Mark Rowley lays blame on 'extreme rhetoric' for Belfast disorder after knife attack

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has hit out at "extreme rhetoric in public debate" as a catalyst for the violent disorder in Belfast.

Speaking to GB News Sir Mark Rowley stressed police officers should not be used as a "political football in the culture wars" affecting the UK.

Mass protests have erupted in Northern Ireland following an alleged knife attack by an asylum seeker on Monday evening.

Hadi Alodid, 30, has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking Stephen Ogilvie with a kitchen knife, causing him to lose an eye as a result of his injuries.

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PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson confirmed "sporadic pockets of disorder" have broken out in several locations across Northern Ireland.

He said: "We are urging everyone to remain calm, act responsibly, and avoid any activity that could place themselves or others at risk."

Reacting to the protests, Sir Mark told the People's Channel the police are dealing with "very challenging situations" on the streets of Belfast.

He said: "I really feel for colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

"They're really dealing with some very challenging situations on the streets, of course, there have been a couple of very contentious incidents."

Sir Mark criticised the "extreme rhetoric" being more commonly used in public debate as a fuel for such disorder.

He argued: "We see some of the extreme rhetoric that tends to sort of be more and more common in public debate now, driving some of this activity.

"We saw it, didn't we, with Southport, where extreme rhetoric and online commentary led to disorder, so we're paying close attention to it."

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The Met Police commissioner made clear police officer want to "take on criminals and protect victims", not be used a "political footballs" in the country's "culture wars".

He told GB News: "We'll be able to deal with anything that does happen. I think it's really challenging for police officers today. They don't enjoy being a political football in the culture wars that so frequently dominate public debate.

"All they want to do is go out, take on criminals, protect victims, and they're out there day in and day out, protecting without fear or favour.

"They need that public support rather than being at the centre of this sort of battle of culture wars from either side."

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has told GB News immigration enforcement "will increase", with 1,000 people having been removed from the region over the past year.

He said: "You're going to see an increase in activity, enforcement, and raids. In the last year alone, 1,000 people have been removed from Northern Ireland because they do not have the right to be here.

"And it is that intelligence-led operation, including on major travel routes, airports, bus routes, train routes, and ports, that is the most effective thing that we can do, because the Common Travel Area underpins, of course, the Good Friday Agreement.

"In respect of the terrible scenes we witnessed on Monday night, this is an individual who has chosen to do this. They have been charged, it is for the court process to deal with them, but we should judge people by the contribution that they make to our society."

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