Alleged perpetrator of North Belfast knife attack had a 'five-year visa', says DUP leader

Alleged perpetrator of North Belfast knife attack had a 'five-year visa', says DUP leader “This needs to be a time for honesty and openness and truth," Gavin Robinson told the House of Commons 13:36, 09 Jun 2026 Updated 13:52, 09 Jun 2026 The alleged perpetrator of a horror knife attack in Belfast was in the UK under a five-year visa, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said. A man aged in his 30s, from Sudan, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the "horrific” and “abhorrent” knife attack on a street in North Belfast . The victim, a man in his 40s remains in a serious condition in hospital. Follow the latest updates here. Addressing the Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn in the Commons, Mr Robinson said: “This needs to be a time for honesty and openness and truth. “Will he confirm that he and his Government recognise that uncontrolled immigration needs to end? Will he confirm that the Government needs to reassure and protect our population, who for too long have had their concerns ignored, and knowing that he and the Chief Constable and I share a concern that there could be violence, and express my wish and our collective desire for calm, that community cohesion lies on the precipice? “Will he confirm that the actions last night in no way reflect or represent the values of our nation, that the victim belongs in Belfast, but the attacker does not? “Having abused the privilege of our nation, the perpetrator living in the UK under a five-year visa needs to be convicted and deported on the first flight out on a one-way ticket.” Mr Benn echoed Mr Robinson’s call for calm, saying it was “communities that suffer” when there is disorder on the streets, but did not confirm that the attacker was in the UK on a visa. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he cannot confirm whether the man arrested over a knife attack in Belfast came to the UK illegally, as he was pressed on the issue. It came in response to Reform UK MP Lee Anderson (Ashfield), who said: “The Secretary of State will know the answer to this question – did the assailant enter the United Kingdom as an illegal migrant/asylum seeker?” Mr Benn replied: “Until I am in a position to have that confirmed, I cannot confirm it to the House. “As soon as I can, I will. But as I have already explained, it is the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) that is leading on answering the very legitimate question that he has asked.” Article continues below For the latest on this developing story follow our live blog here