The Northern Secretary, Peter Mandelson, has condemned today's violence in Belfast, in which two men were killed and political party offices were attacked. Mr Mandelson said that the murders had nothing to do with politics or the peace process, but were the product of what he called "squalid, murderous gang warfare". He said that certain individuals were trying to assert their control over some areas, and the security forces would not tolerate it.
British soldiers have been ordered back onto the streets of Belfast following the violence. The incidents arise from the continuing feud between the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Volunteer Force. This afternoon, shots were exchanged between police and Loyalists at Malvern Street, but there were no reports of injuries.
Before that, a mob set fire to the offices of the Progressive Unionist Party, which is linked to the UVF. This followed a drive-by shooting attack on the offices of the Ulster Democratic Party, which is linked to the UDA. One person was slightly injured by flying glass. In another incident, a group of what is believed to have been UFF supporters attacked a house off the Shankill Road and set fire to a car.
Earlier, a man was shot dead and another man was fatally wounded in an attack outside a bookmaker's shop in the Crumlin Road. The RUC said the two men, named as Jackie Coulter and Bobby Mahood, were sitting in a jeep outside the shop when at least eight shots were fired at them. Mr Coulter was a commander in the UDA. John White of the UDP has blamed the attack on the UVF.
This morning, John White dismissed a call from former UVF leader, Gusty Spence, for the rival UDA to draw back from their involvement in the current feud. Mr White described Gusty Spence’s remarks as nonsense. He claimed that Mr Spence's organisation had targeted a project to refurbish traditional murals organised by the UDA nine months ago, and that UVF supporters had attacked last Saturday's parade, the culmination of the same scheme, sparking the subsequent violence. He also denied that the release from jail of his associate, Johnny Adair, was linked to the rise in tensions between the groups. He said that Mr Adair had restored morale in estates of the Shankill and was doing good community work.
With many prominent figures on each side now keeping a low profile for fear of violent reprisals, face to face talks are out of the question and efforts to involve a mediator are continuing. Ulster Unionist councillor, Chris McGimpsey, said that up to a dozen families with links to the UVF were now seeking to be re-housed. He said that many of them had been intimidated and others were fearful of further violence.
