Belfast stabbing victim's family calls for calm, backs immigrants amid riots

The family of Stephen Ogilvy, who was stabbed in Belfast by a Sudanese refugee and lost an eye, has issued a strong plea for calm and urged the public not to use the incident to incite further unrest. Their statement, released via the Facebook account of unionist politician Phillip Brett, came after a night of violent disturbances in the city, including arson attacks on buildings housing immigrants.

Despite their "utterly devastated" state over the "horrific attack," the family explicitly stated that the previous night's riots were "not tolerable" and advocated for peaceful protest as the only constructive approach. They made a significant appeal for respect towards immigrants, highlighting their valuable contributions to the country, particularly in the National Health Service and the hospitality sector. The family stressed their desire to prevent this "terrible tragedy" from being exploited to divide people or fuel hostility.

Their measured tone stands in stark contrast to the racist and anti-immigrant sentiment that fueled the protests. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attacks, stating on X that targeting individuals based on their origin would not be tolerated. Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long criticized those spreading hate online, accusing them of using genuine fear to promote anti-immigration and racist agendas.

The incident and subsequent reactions highlight the increasingly tense political debate surrounding immigration in the United Kingdom. This debate has even drawn commentary from non-British actors, including members of the US government, who often advocate against immigration.