Social media use in Belfast protest planning condemned

The use of social media in planning violent protests over the Belfast knife attack has drawn condemnation, with Britain’s ruling Labour Party accusing Elon Musk of stoking divisions.

The tech billionaire, who continued overnight to promote calls for people to take to the streets in response to the assault, hit back at the claims and blamed immigration policy for the tensions.

Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, was remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with attempted murder over Monday’s knife attack in which victim Stephen Ogilvie lost his left eye.

Disorder erupted in the city on Tuesday, with anti-immigration protesters setting fire to vehicles and properties, forcing some people to flee their homes.

The reaction to the incident saw protesters set homes, a bus and cars on fire, with people targeted based on their race.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there was no excuse for the violence or those who fuelled it on the internet.