Belfast disorder continues for second night; water cannon deployed
8 reported
Police deployed water cannons on protesters in Co Antrim on Wednesday evening after a second night of disorder following a knife attack in Belfast. The violence included masked men burning vehicles and houses, blocking roads, and throwing petrol bombs at police lines. A large Department for Infrastructure vehicle was set alight near the Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey. Rioters also attempted to set fire to a property near a petrol station. The family of knife attack victim Stephen Ogilvie issued a statement condemning the disorder and urging peaceful protest only. They also said false information circulating on social media about the attack was "deeply distressing." Cabinet Office minister Baroness Anderson told the House of Lords that 27 people were made homeless on Tuesday night because people targeted foreign nationals. The government plans to amend the Online Safety Act to require social media firms to act more quickly during riots, but this will not take effect until mid-July at the earliest.
What’s reported
Police deployed water cannons on protesters in Co Antrim after being pelted with bricks.
A large Department for Infrastructure vehicle was set alight near the Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey.
Rioters attempted to set fire to a property near a petrol station and threw petrol bombs at police lines.
The family of Stephen Ogilvie, the victim of Monday night's knife attack in Belfast, said he is in a stable condition.
The family stated that the disorder is not supported by them and that peaceful protest is the only way forward.
Cabinet Office minister Baroness Anderson said 27 people were made homeless on Tuesday night because people targeted foreign nationals.
The government plans to amend the Online Safety Act to require social media firms to act more quickly during riots, effective mid-July at the earliest.
Ofcom has contacted social media platform X about online content linked to the violence.
Misconceptions
The family of Stephen Ogilvie addressed false information circulating on social media, clarifying that he is in a stable condition and that the disorder is not supported by them.
Key figures
Stephen Ogilvie (victim of Monday night's knife attack in Belfast)
Baroness Anderson (Cabinet Office minister)
Keir Starmer (UK Prime Minister, vowed to crack down on those fuelling division)
Elon Musk (rejected claims he is to blame for inciting disorder)
Hannah Al-Othman (reporter on scene)
Sources: The Guardian
