British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office called for calm on Tuesday after police said they had arrested a Sudanese suspect in a stabbing at a Belfast residence in Northern Ireland that drew national attention because of graphic videos of the attack online.
Police said the victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries to his face, neck and back on Monday. They said the 30-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and continued to be held by the police. A kitchen knife was found at the scene.
Police were trying to establish a motive, but there was no information to suggest the attack was terror-related, said Ryan Henderson, assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He added that the police were not looking for anyone else involved in the attack.
“This brutal attack will have sent shock waves through the community, causing real concern,” he said.
Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist party, told parliament that the criminal was living in the UK under a five-year visa and urged authorities to curb “uncontrolled immigration”.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said she could not confirm whether the alleged attacker had come to the UK illegally.
