NI leaders 'united in condemnation' after stabbing

Leaders from Northern Ireland's major political parties have united in their condemnation of a violent stabbing that occurred in Belfast, issuing a joint statement asserting that "no place in our society for this kind of brutality."

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There is no place in our society for this kind of brutality. Our immediate thoughts are with the victim and his family, and we hope he makes a full and complete recovery.

The attack left a man in his 40s with significant injuries to his face, neck, and back. Police have arrested a man in his 30s, identified as Sudanese, on suspicion of attempted murder. The joint statement, signed by Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin), Gavin Robinson (DUP), Naomi Long (Alliance), Jon Burrows (UUP), and Claire Hanna (SDLP), expressed solidarity with the victim and his family, wishing him a full recovery.

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We support the Police Service of Northern Ireland in their ongoing investigation and urge anyone with information, or relevant footage, to assist them. It is essential that the facts are established through proper investigation and due process.

The political leaders also extended their thoughts to the eyewitnesses and members of the public who intervened during the incident. Acknowledging the distress and fear the attack has caused within the local community, they strongly urged individuals not to share disturbing images or videos of the event, citing the potential to further traumatize those involved. They encouraged anyone with information or relevant footage to assist the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in their ongoing investigation to establish the facts through due process.

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People have a right to feel safe in their community, and there can be absolutely no tolerance for such barbaric violence.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly reinforced the message, stating that "people have a right to feel safe in their community, and there can be absolutely no tolerance for such barbaric violence." She called for calm amid what she described as a "tense and worrying situation." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the incident as "sickening," vowing "absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets" and thanking first responders and the intervening members of the public.

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It is sickening and I will have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.