Boris Johnson’s ‘deep concern’ as police try to calm Belfast disorder
and live on Freeview channel 276
Trouble erupted after protesting loyalists blocked the road close to the Lanark Way interface.
A video posted on social media shows petrol bombs being thrown into an empty, hijacked bus as it rolled slowly along the Shankill Road.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAs the loyalist protests escalated, crowds of nationalist youths gathered on the Springfield Road and began attacking police.
Rival factions later attacked each other across the sectarian divide at Lanark Way after the peaceline gates were forced open.
Several days of loyalist protest activity has been linked to the creation of an Irish Sea border post-Brexit, and the lack of prosecutions over the Sinn Fein-organised Bobby Storey funeral.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “deeply concerned” at the violence.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdShortly after 9.30pm, Mr Johnson tweeted: “I am deeply concerned by the scenes of violence in Northern Ireland, especially attacks on PSNI who are protecting the public and businesses, attacks on a bus driver and the assault of a journalist.
“The way to resolve differences is through dialogue, not violence or criminality.”
A press photographer was also assaulted and had some camera equipment damaged prior to the bus being hijacked.
Shortly after 7.30pm, a PSNI spokesman said: “We would appeal to those with influence in the area to use it to help restore calm.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdArlene Foster tweeted: “This is not protest. This is vandalism and attempted murder. These actions do not represent unionism or loyalism.
“They are an embarrassment to Northern Ireland and only serve to take the focus off the real law breakers in Sinn Fein. My thoughts are with the bus driver.”
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon also appealed for and end to the disturbances.
“Those attacking their own communities and their own public services are achieving nothing and if this doesn’t stop now it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed,” she said.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Thankfully no one has been hurt in this incidence, but those responsible for this attack, and ongoing attacks on the police, need to stop and stop now.”
Mrs Mallon added: “I appeal for calm and call on those destroying their own communities and those fanning the flames to end this recklessness before someone is seriously hurt or killed.”
On Twitter, Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said: “Stupid, mindless, criminal thuggery.
“Adults watching kids turn a bus into a deadly weapon. Utterly pathetic. A whole community labelled over the action of a few.”
A message from the Editor:
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.
Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.
Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOur journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.
Alistair Bushe
Editor