Police have deployed water cannon against protesters in Belfast as disorder continued for a second night, while Scotland’s First Minister has warned against further protests after violence erupted across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayr — with worshippers locked inside a mosque as demonstrators attempted to reach it.
Officers in riot gear faced a fresh wave of projectiles in north Belfast, approximately ten minutes from the city centre, as around 20 police vehicles moved into position and a crowd gathered near a nearby fire. Water cannon were deployed after a group of protesters dressed in black continued to hurl objects at police lines, with officers advancing as the crowd retreated.
The disorder follows Monday night’s knife attack by Sudanese asylum seeker Hadi Alodid, 30, who appeared in court on Wednesday charged with the attempted murder of NHS radiographer Stephen Ogilvie, who lost his left eye in the assault. Alodid was remanded in custody for four weeks. Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister warned the full force of the law would be used against those involved in the unrest.
The violence spread to Scotland on Tuesday night. Two police officers and three members of the public were injured during protests in Glasgow, with police saying people had been “attacked because of the colour of their skin.” Glasgow Central Mosque locked worshippers inside its building as demonstrators moved through the area in what was believed to be an attempt to reach it. Three men — two aged 18 and one aged 31 — were arrested. Further disorder was also reported in Edinburgh and Ayr.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney issued a direct warning against a second night of protests. “Under no circumstances” should Scots take to the streets again, he said, describing the scenes as “unacceptable” and warning that further arrests would follow.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
