The Ulster Unionist Party has urged the UK Government to fully fund the PSNI's response to recent disorder in North Belfast and to tighten Common Travel Area border checks. Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA, accompanied by MP Robin Swann and MLA Dr Steve Aiken, raised the issues in a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Benn.

The meeting followed an attack on Stephen Ogilvie in North Belfast and the disorder that erupted afterwards. Police officers were injured during the violence.

Mr Burrows said the party expressed full support for the PSNI and called for calm. He told Mr Benn that years of budget cuts had left the police service under strain, and that the current policing operation required full cost recovery from Westminster. The Secretary of State committed to examining that request.

The UUP delegation also raised concerns that border enforcement under the Common Travel Area is not meeting required standards. Mr Burrows argued that legal and illegal immigration must be kept separate in public debate, warning that conflating the two unfairly harms lawfully settled migrants while the illegal aspect demands tougher action.

On behalf of Stephen Ogilvie's family, Mr Burrows passed the father's contact details to Mr Benn so the Secretary of State could make direct contact.

The absence of a devolved budget and Northern Ireland's overall funding needs were also discussed. The party pressed the Secretary of State to recognise the region's financial pressures.

Legacy matters featured in the conversation, particularly questions over how commercial-grade Irish industrial explosives ended up in the hands of the IRA. Mr Burrows welcomed that Mr Benn is actively looking into the issue.

The Ulster Unionist Party said it will continue to monitor the situation and raise these concerns at every level of government.