Number of arrests after riots in Northern Ireland rises to 19

Police call for calm before anti-racist protests in Belfast and Glasgow as MPs warn of failure over online misinformation

Police said 19 people, including a 16-year-old boy, have now been arrested after two nights of rioting in Northern Ireland following a knife attack earlier in the week.

The violence broke out after far-right activists called for demonstrations in response to the attack, which was captured in a graphic video.

Masked men burned vehicles and houses and blocked roads hours after Elon Musk, Tommy Robinson and other agitators encouraged people to take to the streets on Tuesday. On Wednesday, police used plastic bullets and water cannon after crowds attacked police with rocks and petrol bombs.

Concerns have been raised about messages encouraging disorder being spread online and forwarded over messaging apps. A committee of MPs on Friday warned that the government had failed to tackle the spread of misinformation online.

Chi Onwurah, the chair of the science, innovation and technology committee, said: “Unrest in Belfast shows that the government hasn’t done enough to tackle the scale and speed of the algorithmic amplification of misinformation online.”

In a letter to the technology secretary, Liz Kendall, Onwurah accused the government of ignoring the committee’s warning that social media algorithms had driven previous violent unrest in Southport by amplifying harmful and misleading content.

Onwurah said: “My committee warned in a report last year that the Online Safety Act was inadequate and riddled with regulatory gaps.”

The letter said: “The government and Ofcom should now force social media companies to take steps during crises to tackle the viral algorithmic amplification of not just illegal content, but also content that may help to drive unrest – such as by spreading false information about an incident – without meeting the bar for illegality.”

The Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) said Thursday night was “much calmer” with only “lower-level disturbances” compared with the disorder of the previous two nights, and along with Police Scotland appealed for calm before anti-racist demonstrations planned in Belfast and Glasgow.

The PSNI assistant chief constable Ryan Henderson said: “Thankfully, the situation was much calmer than we have seen in recent days. Our policing operation will remain over the weekend to ensure public order is maintained.”

The victim of the knife attack, Stephen Ogilvie, who suffered deep cuts and lost an eye, remained in an induced coma on Friday but his condition was said to be improving. A Sudanese national, Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder over the attack.

A number of anti-racism events have been organised in response to this week’s unrest. A gathering billed as a community solidarity rally was due to take place in west Belfast on Friday evening, while a Together Against Hate demonstration is due to be held at Belfast city hall on Saturday.

Police are also expecting large numbers to join a protest in Glasgow that has been organised by Stand Up to Racism Scotland. The protest is in response to unrest in the city on Tuesday when five people including two police officers were injured, and Glasgow’s central mosque was forced to lock worshippers inside.

Police Scotland’s assistant chief constable Alan Waddell said there would be a large police presence at the demonstration. He said: “There must be no repeat of the disorder and violence seen in the city earlier this week, when members of our communities were targeted because of the colour of their skin and officers working to keep people safe were injured.

“My message is clear. Those attending must do so lawfully and the police will support public safety.”

The lawyer Aamer Anwar was among those supporting Saturday’s demonstration. He said: “Saturday is about reclaiming our streets, not a day for hate, but a celebration of our city and many cultures. Those who wish to cause the mayhem are not welcome.”