Secretary of State pressed on disorder costs, immigration concerns and PSNI funding after North Belfast attack

Senior figures from the Ulster Unionist Party have met with the Secretary of State to press a series of urgent concerns arising from this week’s attack on Stephen Ogilvie in North Belfast and the disorder that has followed across Northern Ireland.

The meeting took place on Thursday between Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA, North Antrim MP Robin Swann and South Antrim MLA Dr Steve Aiken OBE, and Secretary of State Hillary Benn.

It comes amid heightened tensions following the attack on Mr Ogilvie and several nights of unrest which have seen police officers injured and significant policing resources deployed.

Party seeks support for PSNI amid ongoing disorder

One of the key issues raised during the meeting was the financial burden being placed on the Police Service of Northern Ireland as officers continue to respond to disorder across a number of areas.

According to Mr Burrows, the Ulster Unionist delegation urged the UK Government to provide full cost recovery for the policing operation currently underway.

He said the Secretary of State had committed to examining the request.

Mr Burrows said:

“It was essential that we met with the Secretary of State this week following the horrific attack on Stephen and the violence that subsequently unfolded. We expressed a shared desire for calm and our full support for the PSNI, particularly following injuries sustained by officers last night.

“The PSNI budget has been stripped back over consecutive years and current pressures are not helping.

“We made the case that the UK Government should support the PSNI with full cost recovery in relation to the current policing operation into the disorder and the Secretary of State committed to looking into this.”

Immigration and border enforcement concerns raised

The delegation also used the meeting to raise concerns about immigration enforcement and the operation of the Common Travel Area.

Mr Burrows said the party believes checks are not currently being carried out to the required standard and argued that illegal immigration requires a more urgent response from government.

At the same time, he stressed the importance of distinguishing between legal and illegal immigration in political debate.

“It is essential that we decouple legal and illegal immigration in our politics and public debate,” he said.

“Conflating the two does a disservice to those who have come here lawfully and contributed enormously to our society.

“Illegal immigration is nonetheless a serious issue that must be tackled head on, and more must be done by the UK Government and our justice system to address it with the urgency it demands.”

Family contact passed to Secretary of State

During the discussions, Mr Burrows said he also passed on contact details for Stephen Ogilvie’s father to the Secretary of State with the permission of the family.

The move was intended to allow direct contact between Mr Benn and the family as they continue to deal with the aftermath of the attack.

Mr Burrows said:

“With the permission of the family, I passed on the contact details of Stephen Ogilvie’s father to the Secretary of State so that he may make direct contact at this difficult time.”

Funding pressures and legacy issues also discussed

Beyond the immediate security situation, the Ulster Unionist representatives said they raised wider concerns about Northern Ireland’s public finances and the continuing absence of a budget settlement that adequately reflects local need.

The delegation also discussed legacy-related issues, including questions surrounding the historic use of Irish industrial explosives by the IRA.

Mr Burrows said the party sought assurances that efforts to establish how commercial explosives came into the possession of paramilitary organisations would continue.

He said:

“We also raised the ongoing absence of a budget for Northern Ireland and the need for the UK Government to recognise Northern Ireland’s level of funding need.

“We further raised the issues of legacy and specifically Irish industrial explosives and the need for answers as to how commercial explosives ended up in the hands of the IRA over many years, and we welcome that the Secretary of State is actively looking into these matters.”

The meeting comes as political leaders continue to appeal for calm following several days of unrest, with concerns growing over community tensions, public safety and the strain being placed on policing resources across Northern Ireland.

Mr Burrows said the Ulster Unionist Party would continue engaging with government and monitoring developments as the situation unfolds.