A Reform Government would impose a total ban on visas, allowing anyone from Sudan to enter the UK. The policy was highlighted by Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesman, after a 30-year-old Sudanese man was arrested and charged with attempted murder following a knife attack in Belfast. Mr Yusuf said: “The horror of what you have seen in Belfast is a direct result of treacherous Tory and Labour immigration policy. Reform has already announced a TOTAL BAN ON VISAS FOR ANYONE FROM SUDAN. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”

He made the comments in a post on X, which was re-posted by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The alleged attacker was on a five-year refugee visa, having travelled from Sudan to Paris, then onto Dublin. He then travelled to Belfast by bus on February 10, 2023, and lodged an asylum claim, after which he was granted refugee status until 2028. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court.

Police and political leaders in Northern Ireland have appealed for calm after disorder erupted in a number of areas following demonstrations in response to Monday night’s stabbing attack.

Protesters have set fire to a bus in the city, and firefighters had to remove residents from their homes in another street after flames spread to properties.

A senior officer said police in the region are currently dealing with “sporadic pockets of disorder” in a number of locations.

There are multiple reports of roads being blocked and vehicles being set alight in Belfast and some other areas.

In Lendrick Street in Belfast, several cars were set alight, and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service officers had to remove some residents from houses after they caught fire.

A number of houses and vehicles are currently on fire near the Ligoniel Road area of Belfast.

Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said a police car had been set on fire in Portadown.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “Sporadic pockets of disorder have broken out in a number of locations across Northern Ireland this evening, including incidents in which a number of vehicles have been set on fire.

“We are urging everyone to remain calm, act responsibly, and avoid any activity that could place themselves or others at risk.

“Officers are on the ground, working alongside partner agencies, responding to incidents as they arise and helping to keep people safe.

“We are again appealing for calm and ask all voices of influence within local communities to encourage peaceful protest and discourage any involvement in violence or disorder.”

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has described scenes of violence in Belfast as “outright thuggery”.

In a social media post, Ms O’Neill said: “Groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice.

“This has nothing to do with community. This is outright thuggery.

“The attack in North Belfast was heinous and wrong.

“But there are dangerous attempts to exploit that to target and attack innocent people who are simply trying to live, work and raise their families here.

“Racism, intimidation and violence are wrong wherever they occur.

“There can be no excuse and no justification for these attacks tonight.”