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 Commons

In 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.

'This will pass' - but no one can say whenpublished at 12:47 BST 10 June

12:47 BST 10 June

Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political correspondent

Image source, PA Media

After 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 / PA

Boutcher 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 Media

Returning 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".

Image source, PA Media

Benn says "this is not what Northern Ireland is, this is not the great place that is Northern Ireland".

He says the responsibility is "on all of us" to tell anyone planning to become involved in violence "stop doing this".

"This is not normal," Benn adds.

The Northern Ireland secretary says he promised MPs he would provide further details on the immigration status of the suspected perpetrator.

He says the common travel area (CTA) remains a long-standing commitment between the Republic and the UK - and close cooperation already exists between border forces to tackle illegal migration.

Boutcher says there are currently 100 people already facing prosecution from previous violent incidents.

"We will deal with this, we will be on the streets tonight in numbers even more than we were last night," he adds.

He says an extra 200 officers will be arriving to support local police on the streets.

The chief constable says PSNI officers "got in harm's way" to stop people from getting intimidated and assaulted during the chaos on Tuesday night.

He says he understands why some schools and businesses are closing early. "I support people who make that decision to make sure they're keeping their schoolchildren, their employees and their businesses safe."

Image source, PA Media

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher describes last night's scenes as an "act of self harm by the people involved".

He said the violence is an "insult to the victim" and all those involved, including the member of the public who "courageously" stepped in to help.

Boutcher urges the public to "please, please please let the criminal justice process take its course".

He said that an individual was brought before a court in Belfast this morning in relation to the knife attack. "Let that follow due process," he says.

The chief constable appeals for anyone in Northern Ireland who has any sense of who was involved last night “to take control of their actions".

"If it's your children.. .neighbours, stop them from coming out today. This has got to stop. We cannot have a society that allows this to happen."

Image source, PA Media

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Hilary Benn begins the press conference by saying two police officers were injured during the violent disorder in Belfast on Tuesday night.

He adds his thoughts are with the victim of the knifing attack, named in court as Stephen Ogilvy, before denouncing the chaos that erupted in the city.

“Nothing can justify the violence that we saw on the streets of northern Ireland last night with masked thugs," he says.

Benn adds those organising the protests claim they're "protecting" communities, but are "doing the very opposite".

"It is utterly shameful."

Following a night of disorder in Belfast, the PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Secretary of State Hilary Benn are taking part in a press conference in the city.

We will update you on their remarks. You can also watch it live on the stream at the top of the page.

Jayne McCormack
BBC News NI political correspondent

It's understood the Stormont Executive will hold an emergency meeting this afternoon in the wake last night's disorder.

The meeting of ministers is expected to take place virtually.

Image source, PA Media

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has described scenes in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Ayr on Tuesday night as "unacceptable" after crowds of protesters gathered in those areas in response to the Belfast attack.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at locations in Glasgow city centre on Tuesday night with their faces covered. Many were chanting, with Union flags and banners on show. Many police were deployed.

Dozens of protesters also demonstrated at St Andrew Square in Edinburgh before marching along Princes Street shouting with blue flares and saltires. About 100 also staged a demonstration in Ayr.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Swinney says "Scotland is a welcoming nation and those who choose to make their lives here are valued members of our communities".

"Racism, hatred and intimidation have no place in Scotland. We must stand against it," he says.

Eve Rosato
BBC News NI

The victim, named in court as Stephen Ogilvy, who is in his 40s, remains in hospital.

The court heard he has lost his left eye and has damage to his right eye, along with injuries to his neck and back.

Alodid communicated with the court through an Arabic interpreter. When he was read the charges he made no response. A PSNI detective confirmed to the court she could connect him to the charges.

The court heard that Alodid was offered legal representation but refused it.

When asked if he intended to seek bail an officer at Musgrave told the court the defendant nodded his head in the affirmative.

Judge Steven Keown refused bail and Alodid was remanded into custody to appear again in 4 weeks on 8 July.

Judge Keown commended the members of the public who went to the aid of Stephen Ogilvy and the first responders who attended that night.

He also said the court was aware of the public disorder and of the possibility of further protests today. He condemned threats against emergency services and said those involved in this type of behaviour can "expect to go to prison".