See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 15:06 BST, 9 June 2026 | Updated: 17:52 BST, 9 June 2026
Labour ministers are under pressure to provide 'full transparency' about how a Sudanese man held over a suspected beheading attempt in Belfast came to be in the UK. The man, aged in his 30s, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the 'brutal' assault on Monday night which left the alleged victim with significant injuries to his face, neck and back.Far-Right politicians have called for demonstrations in the city tonight despite appeals for calm, as footage of the incident circulated on social media.Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson told a press conference this afternoon that he is believed to have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, having previously been in the Irish capital Dublin.The two countries on the island of Ireland are covered by the Common Travel Area, which allows British and Irish citizens to pass freely between both countries over an open border.DUP leader and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson told the Commons today that the suspect was in the UK under a five-year visa.But Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he did not know the answer to the 'legitimate question' of how he arrived here.Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'Last night's brutal attempted beheading in Belfast is appalling.'The Government must ensure full details about the suspect's nationality... and immigration status are released. A man, aged in his 30s, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the 'brutal' assault on Monday night Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he did not know the answer to the 'legitimate question' of how he arrived here'Total transparency is required. If it turns out this man is an illegal immigrant it would provide further evidence that the Government's lack of border control is endangering the public.' The Daily Mail reported earlier this year how the CTA is being exploited by illegal migrants and smuggling gangs as a 'back-entry route' into the UK. Deputy Chief Constable Wendy Gunney, who leads the Domestic Organised Immigration Crime taskforce, said gangs also use it to move drugs and black market goods.There is no passport control between Britain and Ireland, although passengers are required to bring some form of photo ID and officials regularly carry out spot checks.Video of the graphic scenes in the north of the city were shared widely on social media last night provoking shocked reactions from the public and politicians of all parties.The violence unfolded outside an apartment block on Kinnaird Avenue, in the north of the city, at around 10.30pm on Monday. The footage shows a man standing astride a bloodied victim holding a knife to his throat and his fist in the air. As onlookers screamed he then starts making a sawing motion as witnesses say: 'He's trying to cut his head off.' Police said a kitchen knife was recovered from the scene.Then bystanders intervene including a man with a hurling stick who hits the suspect while others helped to subdue the man.A man in his 40s was rushed to hospital with serious injuries to his face, neck and back, and is said to be in a 'critical' condition.Mr Henderson told journalists the victim of the knife attack in Belfast suffered significant injuries to his eyes and serious slash wounds to his back and face after being attacked with a kitchen knife.'My understanding is that the individual came into Northern Ireland from Dublin, moving up, and then was granted leave to remain,' he said.He said the Home Office 'will be confirming that in more detail in due course'.'I share the public revulsion over the brutal nature of this attack, which has created concern not only here in Northern Ireland, but much further afield, and I understand also that there will be questions regarding the nature of the attack,' he added.There is nothing to suggest at this stage that the attack is terrorism-related, he said, and he went on to urge members of the public to be 'very mindful of what they share online' after graphic footage of the attack was posted.
