Social media, Musk accused of fuelling unrest after Belfast attack
Jun 11, 2026
London [UK], June 11: The use of social media in planning violent protests over the Belfast knife attack has drawn condemnation, with Britain's ruling Labour Party accusing Elon Musk of stoking divisions.
The tech billionaire, who continued overnight to promote calls for people to take to the streets in response to the assault, hit back at the claims and blamed immigration policy for the tensions. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, was remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with attempted murder over Monday's knife attack in which victim Stephen Ogilvie lost his left eye.
Disorder erupted in the city on Tuesday, with anti-immigration protesters setting fire to vehicles and properties, forcing some people to flee their homes. The reaction to the incident saw protesters set homes, a bus and cars on fire, with people targeted based on their race.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there was no excuse for the violence or those who fuelled it on the internet. Starmer wrote on X on Wednesday: "The scen s in Belfast last night were shocking and completely unacceptable.
There is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it, online or elsewhere." (PA Media/dpa)
Source: Qatar Tribune
