The politician discussed the protests that took place across Belfast.
BBC Breakfast viewers slammed a politician over her remarks about the stabbing in Belfast. On Monday (June 8) evening, a man in his 40s was repeatedly stabbed outside an apartment complex in north Belfast. The victim was rushed to the hospital with injuries to his eyes, face, neck and back and remains in serious condition. Authorities confirmed the suspect in his 30s, who has been charged with attempted murder, is Sudanese and had been granted “legal leave to remain” in Northern Ireland.
The horrific attack sparked protests across Belfast, with houses, vehicles and businesses set alight on Tuesday (June 9) evening. On Wednesday (June 10) morning, Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister Naomi Long appeared on BBC Breakfast to condemn the protests, claiming they did nothing to help the man who sustained serious injuries in the attack.
Jon Kay and Sally Nugent discussed the Belfast stabbing on BBC Breakfast (Image: BBC)
Speaking to presenters Jon Kay and Sally Nugent, she said: “Attacking other innocent people, driving people from their homes, attacking their property, attacking the police is not acceptable and not excusable in any circumstance.”
“There is nothing that they are doing now which is going to help the gentleman who was so grievously injured. He has had life-altering injuries and is now in hospital.
“There is nothing that they are doing that is either helping him or his family or their own community.”
She urged protestors to remain calm and “allow the justice system to take its course”, while calling for an end to the riots.
The politician added: “I spoke with a young woman yesterday who was Sudanese, who was visibly shaking and crying because she was so fearful that people would hold an entire community responsible for the actions of an individual.
“That can’t be right and it isn’t the society we want to build here in Northern Ireland.”
Her remarks angered viewers, many of whom took to X to criticise the government for failing to act.
One said: “What we needed to hear yesterday was ‘we have a problem and we’ll fix it’ what we heard was ‘you’re the problem if you don’t like it’ the politicians like Ms Long created this problem, if they won’t fix it expect more of this.”
Another raged: “It’s unacceptable.. you are correct! But take your blinkers off just for a moment & look! This problem is caused by politicians & opinionated reporting by idiots from the BBC! But it’s not just Belfast! The same feeling is UK wide & ignored by Westminster!”
A third fumed: “There is NOTHING that the government is doing to ensure that more immigration victims don’t happen? Sort out your s**t, or people inevitably will.”
A fourth weighed in: “They’re not trying to help, idiot, they’re making a point. People have had enough.”
Another slammed the so-called justice system, arguing they will “say he has mental health problems and get away lightly”.