Violence in Northern Ireland: a new thorn in the side of Boris Johnson

On Springfield Road as protests continue in Belfast, Northern Ireland on April 8, 2021. REUTERS - JASON CAIRNDUFF

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has condemned yet another night of violence in Northern Ireland, after protesters threw Molotov cocktails and a bus was set on fire in Belfast on the night of Wednesday to Thursday April 8.

The violence comes after a week of riots which show that the fire is smoldering in the British province, where the consequences of Brexit create a feeling of betrayal among unionists attached to the crown.

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With our correspondent in London,

Muriel Delcroix

Result of this worrying escalation of violence in the streets of Belfast, the Unionists now have the full attention of Boris Johnson.

The advent of Brexit since January has created great tensions in communities loyal to the British crown;

they quickly understood that there would henceforth be a big difference in treatment between the Northern Irish province and the rest of the United Kingdom with the introduction of customs controls which establish a trade border in the Irish Sea.

Loyalists have since felt betrayed by the British Prime Minister and feel the situation is benefiting their historic Republican opponents.

After months of grumbling and veiled threats, largely ignored by the Conservative government, the situation has suddenly deteriorated and Boris Johnson can no longer look away.

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See also: Northern Ireland: Brexit again a source of tension

The leader sent his minister to Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, to Belfast to meet with the various local political parties.

But beyond these appeasement gestures, many voices in Belfast, Westminster and Dublin are now calling on Boris Johnson to show leadership, organize cross-party talks in Northern Ireland and make a strong commitment to protect the dangerously weakened peace process.

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See also: Northern Ireland: rising tension within the Unionist community

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  • UK

  • North Ireland

  • Boris Johnson

  • Brexit