DUP leader blasts Labour 'reticence' in response to 'barbaric' Belfast knife attack: 'A medieval mutilation'

The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party has launched a scathing attack on Labour's "reticent" response to the Belfast knife attack.

Speaking to GB News following his urgent question to the Government, Gavin Robinson condemned the "most medieval, barbaric, systematic mutilation of a citizen of Belfast", which took place on Monday evening.

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that the suspect, a Sudanese man, is understood to have been granted leave to remain after travelling to Belfast from Dublin.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said that the victim of the attack "was taken to hospital with significant injuries to his eyes and serious slash wound injuries to his back and face".

Mr Robinson raised an urgent question in Government, in which Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn was repeatedly grilled on the immigration status of the suspect.

Mr Benn assured MPs: "It is for the PSNI to be in contact with the Home Office, which I know they have been doing in order to establish the facts around the individual."

Criticising Mr Benn's response, the DUP leader told GB News: "I think he was very clear about the potential for deportation and recognised the appropriateness of that in the circumstances, should there be a conviction in a case such as this.

"But you will see, there was a reticence to indicate how this individual came to the United Kingdom, why they are in the United Kingdom, and what visa they have."

Mr Robinson argued: "I can understand that the Secretary of State does not want to give wrong details or erroneous details, he wants to be accurate.

"But this is an important time for the police and Government to step forward and clearly and honestly share what they know, whether it's inconvenient, whether it's uncomfortable. It is important that the public have the details that they need."

Highlighting the issue of "uncontrolled immigration", particularly in Northern Ireland, Mr Robinson declared that there is a "need to speak about these issues openly" in light of such cases.

He told GB News: "Even in response to my question around uncontrolled immigration, the Secretary of State suggesting there has been a marked reduction, recognises the impact that uncontrolled immigration is having in our society.

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"And there is a need to be able to speak about these issues clearly and openly and plainly, otherwise, the vacuum gets filled more nefariously."

Mr Robinson heaped praise on the neighbours of the victim, who came together despite being on the "different sides of the traditional community divide".

He said: "I am full of praise for the neighbours who came out in the face of danger and protected a neighbour in the face of such adverse violence, that they were prepared to put themselves in harm's way to protect the life of another.

"And I understand that the victim and the people that saved the victim come from different sides of our traditional community divide, and I think that's even more inspiring when we consider what occurred last night."

Quizzing the DUP leader on his concerns for any protest that may arise from this incident, Mr Robinson assured that he is "calling for calm" on Belfast's streets.

He told GB News: "I think all of us are gravely concerned about how this could spiral. I know of scores of businesses in my own constituency that are closing early for fear of protests. I don't want to say that I don't believe it should happen, but I am calling for calm.

"I don't want to see violence on our streets, and I don't want to see individuals targeted because of the colour of their skin."

Mr Robinson concluded: "But I do need to see Government and the police respond appropriately and to speak clearly, and not to hide anything that may be uncomfortable or inconvenient, to be honest and open with our public to indicate how they will protect them.

"And recognise that uncontrolled immigration has caused and is causing problems within our communities across the United Kingdom, and this Government needs to respond appropriately."