The family of Stephen Ogilvy, the victim in Monday night's knife attack in Belfast, say "unrest is not welcome, and peaceful protest is the only way forward"
Police say there will be more officers in the city today after last night's violence, while public transport is closing early
Ogilvy has lost his left eye, has damage to his right eye, and has injuries to his neck and back, a court heard earlier
The suspect, Hadi Alodid, was remanded in custody for four weeks. He was charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife
Police previously said the suspect was a 30-year-old Sudanese man. He entered the UK in 2023 and was given refugee status
On Tuesday night, houses, cars, and a bus were set on fire in Belfast - in one area, hundreds of masked men shouted "foreigners out", our reporter says
Meanwhile in Scotland, "people were attacked because of the colour of their skin" during unrest in Glasgow last night, police say
Declan Harvey
BBC News NI
In Belfast city centre it's almost deserted compared to a normal mid-week lunchtime,
Groups of tourists have appeared stranded and are asking police, who are on patrol, for guidance.
A local cafe says it’s been very quiet today due to the public transport cancellations.
There is no sign of Translink city centre buses here.
Despite disruptions, CCEA have confirmed that students are still to sit their exam.
Image source, PA MediaBurnt out cars and boarded up houses on McMaster Street in east Belfast
Residents, politicians and emergency services are reflecting on a night of violent disorder in Belfast last night which saw cars, homes and a bus set on fire. Here's a recap of what we've heard this morning:
Violence condemned
The overnight violence has been met with widespread condemnation from political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer who described the chaos as "shocking and completely unacceptable".
Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O’Neill said groups showed "disgusting cowardice" by "burning families out of their homes", while Reform UK's Richard Tice condemned the violence and called for calm.
PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher added the disorder was a "huge act of self-harm by mindless idiots" and called on people to prevent further violence.
Families forced to flee
As rioters took to the streets, some residents were forced to leave their homes amid the violence. A young African family living in the area for 20 years moved after their windows were smashed, while a Ukrainian family fled with their dog when their front door caught on fire.
Another resident recalled watching his home going up in flames, saying "that’s a feeling I’ll never get over".
Elsewhere, a two-month-old baby was rescued by police officers during the violence, while a 70-year-old man with dementia ended up in hospital because a brick went through his window.
Suspect in court
The suspected attacker, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, has appeared in court in Belfast charged with attempted murder. He is also charged with possession of a knife in a public place and threats to kill an NHS worker.
Hadi Alodid, with an address in Duncairn Avenue in north Belfast, appeared via video link at Belfast Magistrates’ Court and was remanded into custody.
The court was also told the victim, named as Stephen Ogilvy, who is in his 40s, has lost his left eye following the attack and remains in hospital.
The statement from the family of Stephen Ogilvy also says they are "aware of the tensions and talk of protests following this incident".
"We want to make it absolutely clear that overnight unrest is not welcome, and peaceful protest is the only way forward," the family say.
"We have many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution to our country, including in our healthcare system and hospitality sector and we depend on them to make our country work."
They say they do not want this "terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility".
Mr Ogilvy remains in hospital. A court heard today that he has lost his left eye and has damage to his right eye following the attack.
The family of Stephen Ogilvy, who was injured in Monday night's north Belfast knife attack, say they are "completely devastated by the horrific attack".
"This has been a massive shock to our whole family, and right now, our only priority is being at his bedside and helping him recover," the family says in a statement.
They have thanked the local people who "bravely stepped in during the attack".
"Your quick actions absolutely saved his life, and we will never forget what you did for him in that moment," they said.
They also thank emergency services, doctors and nurses who have been looking after him.
A 39-year-old man has become the first person to be charged by police over the violent protests in Northern Ireland.
The suspect was arrested in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, on Tuesday and has been charged with riot.
He is due to appear in court this afternoon.
The PSNI says it has set up a Public Order Enquiry Team and "all video and online footage is currently being reviewed, with further arrests and charges to follow".
Translink say bus and rail services across Northern Ireland will be suspended later today.
A statement says: "There will be no bus departures after 5pm and no train services will depart after 6pm.
"Passengers are advised that services may be subject to alteration or cancellation. Where possible, passengers should travel earlier in the day and allow extra time for their journeys.
"Suspending services is always a last resort, but the safety of our customers and staff remains our top priority. We want to give people as much advance notice as possible so they can plan accordingly.
"We thank our staff and customers for their continued support at this time.
"We intend to be in a position to resume normal services tomorrow morning, and passengers are encouraged to check the latest travel updates via Translink social channels and the Journey Planner app."
Image source, PA MediaA destroyed Glider bus seen on Newtownards Road in east Belfast on Wednesday morning
We've been hearing that some schools and higher education facilities are closing early today, or offering parents the opportunity to pick up their children due to fears of further protests.
But the Department of Education says says there is no blanket decision to close all schools.
The education minister, Paul Givan, released a statement saying that schools should continue as normal.
"Every effort should be made to minimise disruption to teaching and learning."
The department added that GCSE and A Level exams will go ahead this afternoon and that "schools should make every effort to remain open for pupils sitting exams".
Givan said closing all schools across Northern Ireland would be "neither practical or proportionate".
Two police officers and three members of the public were injured during disturbances in Glasgow last night.
A statement from Police Scotland said "people were attacked because of the colour of their skin" during protests which descended into disorder in the city.
“I would strongly condemn that offending and send a clear message that there is no place for racism and violence in Scotland," Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell says.
“Officers continue to be in local areas and we are engaged with communities to show support and listen to concerns.
“We have an appropriate policing plan in place, including strong links across UK policing to ensure we are prepared to deal with any escalation in disorder, and we will mobilise specialist resources if necessary."
Waddell adds the Scottish officers will be supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland as part of mutual aid arrangements.
Also in the Commons, DUP leader Gavin Robinson says the attack in Belfast on Monday was "medieval".
The MP for Belfast East says the violence carried out last night in his constituency and other parts of the country is inexcusable.
He has asked the prime minister if will he meet him to discuss the steps to ensure "our values are enforced", that the rule of law is sustained, and that he protects and closes "the open, porous border between our country and the Irish Republic".
Starmer has thanked him and all leaders who have urged calm, adding he is happy to meet him.
"We are all sickened by this attack, but the scenes of violence and disorder have no justification," Starmer adds.
Image source, House of CommonsIn the House of Commons, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been facing MPs for the weekly session of Prime Minister’s Questions.
Some of the queries have been on the Belfast stabbing attack – with Lib Dems leader asking the PM whether he will “crack down” on social media platforms being used by “extremists” exploiting “grief and anger” to incite protesters.
Starmer says he will take action “on anyone who is fuelling this division”, noting that local authorities are appealing for calm.
“Nobody who is a politician should be whipping up division and hatred,” he adds.
Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political correspondent
Image source, PA MediaAfter the darkness comes the fallout, the clean-up and yet more calls from political leaders and the chief constable to ensure that the violent scenes of last night are not repeated.
Secretary of State Hilary Benn arrived at PSNI headquarters just after 11:00 BST, where he was greeted by Jon Boutcher before the men took to a joint podium.
Benn said what happened last night was “not normal” and insisted that, when leadership is tested in times like these, it is important to hold the line.
His government is also now being tested on the wider issue of immigration, which is a matter reserved for Westminster.
But it is the chief constable’s force that is holding the front line and could face further pressure still, with two officers injured during last night’s disorder: one while directing traffic away from the scene and the other taken to hospital after a petrol bomb exploded next to him.
Some 200 mutual aid officers will be on the ground from tomorrow, and Boutcher insisted those responsible for the disorder will be dealt with according to the law.
In front of assembled cameras, and when asked about this being the third consecutive year of violence in Northern Ireland, he told the public: “This will pass.”
But right now, neither he, the Secretary of State, nor anyone else can say when.
Boutcher says events like these are not something that police forces in the rest of the UK have to deal with regularly.
“It happens repeatedly here, there’s questions to be asked about that.
"And we can’t deal with these issues when we’ve not got those community officers in those communities that need our support."
“We have huge gaps. This has to be the entire organisation coming together to deal with issues like this, and we will identify and prosecute those responsible.”
We can now bring you a sketch of the suspect in Monday night's knife attack in Belfast.
Hadi Alodid, 30, is charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvy, threatening to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife.
He was remanded in custody for four weeks and is due to re-appear in court via video-link on Wednesday 8 July.
Image source, Elizabeth Cook / PABoutcher says he "couldn't believe the numbers" of police officers was so low when he arrived in Northern Ireland in 2023.
While there has been recovery he says that must be "sustained and supported".
He says "policing in Northern Ireland is uniquely complex," adding "we cannot let the Police Service of Northern Ireland down with regards to our funding".
“We need to come up with a plan to support the long-term sustainability so that we can deal with the very unique events that we face in Northern ireland, in a way that our communities deserve."
More information about the chaos from Boutcher, who says one officer was injured on Tuesday when he was "hit with debris on the head", but "he's okay".
A second officer "suffered smoke inhalation" when a petrol bomb exploded near him. It "went under his snood and he had to be taken to hospital", Boutcher adds.
He says during the press conference that many people who were targeted in the unrest were not even from ethnic minorities, and "idiots" had targeted people across the whole of society.
The senior officer also says it is too early to say whether paramilitary groups were involved. "Let's get the investigation underway to understand who is orchestrating this online," he says.
The press conference has now finished but we're continuing to bring you comments from Hilary Benn and Jon Boutcher.
Benn says he's shared information with Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee about how the suspect arrived in Northern Ireland.
Benn says "there will be questions for us" as well as for the Irish authorities about what they know, as that might contribute to the ongoing investigation.
Image source, PA MediaReturning to Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, he says it's easy for young people to get "carried away with a tide" by looking online and be "persuaded by people who know nothing about Northern Ireland".
"Stop listening to these idiots. We will be going after them for the incitement they will be doing."
Boutcher says he won't name individuals, adding that people inciting protesters last night know who they.
Hilary Benn says authorities in the UK and Ireland are working together to try to tackle illegal migration but he says they will need to "reflect on particular circumstances of this case".
But he said the person responsible for attacking the victim is the person who is at fault and is for legal process to determine how he is judged and what sanctions should be applied.
With scrutiny now falling on common travel area arrangements between Ireland and Northern Ireland, Benn says there is already close cooperation on the management of that system.
"Of course, people will be seeking more information about the precise movements of the individual," he says, saying his upcoming ministerial statement in the Commons will provide further details.
The chief constable says the police will "identity and prosecute those responsible" for the violence.
He also recognises there were other peaceful processes occurring in Northern Ireland, which he describes as "lawful, sensible and proportionate".
