Minister condemns ‘racist thuggery’ as violence returns to Northern Ireland

UK minister for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn condemned two days of mob violence in Belfast as 'racist thuggery'. The anti-immigration riots, sparked by a knife attack carried out by a Somalian man granted asylum, have revived memories of 'the Troubles'. Benn noted that the disorder lessened on Wednesday night but emphasized the racial nature of the mobs seeking to reach a hotel housing asylum seekers.