Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Janet Daby and Hilary Benn

Wednesday 8th July 2026 Commons Chamber

[Janet Daby (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

11. What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on recent disorder in Northern Ireland.

[The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)]

I met the leaders of the main Northern Ireland political parties on Thursday 11 June to discuss the terrible disorder. The attack on Mr Ogilvie was truly shocking, but the racist violence that we saw in response had no justification whatsoever.

--- Later in debate ---

[Janet Daby]

I cannot begin to imagine what the victims of the recent disorder felt and experienced, and the devastation that it has brought upon their communities. My Labour values are about respect for others, and about treating people fairly and justly. This act demonstrated none of them. Will my right hon. Friend please say what is being done to rebuild and restore every aspect of these communities, from dealing with their trauma to ensuring their protection and restoring the loss of possessions?

[Hilary Benn]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what she says, and I agree with her. There was terrible disorder in Ballymena last year, as a result of which a number of steps were taken to bring the community together. It was noticeable that the recent disorder that we saw in Belfast was not replicated in Ballymena. That is an example of communities working together to build trust and respect, and we need to see a lot more of it.