Water cannon will be used in a bid to clear sectarian rioters off the streets of Belfast, police have said.

Northern Ireland’s most senior police officer was today set to be quizzed about paramilitary involvement in the sectarian violence engulfing parts of Belfast.

Northern Ireland’s policing board was tonight preparing to shortlist for the chief constable’s job - as one of those thought to be in contention was ruled out.

The Ulster Unionist Council has pledged to take ‘‘further action’’ following the discovery of a list of senior Conservatives in IRA intelligence files.

The Taoiseach has re-iterated Northern Secretary John Reid's assertion that there is no evidence the IRA is poised to resume its terror campaign.

The closing date for applications to run the new Northern Ireland Police Force was passing today, with the North's acting chief constable expected to rule himself out of the race.

Northern Ireland’s acting chief constable Colin Cramphorn is set to rule himself out of the race to become the reformed police force's next leader.

Tensions in north Belfast were on a knife edge tonight amid fears that the bitter sectarian violence blighting the area could spiral out of control.

More than 100 high-ranking police officers from both sides of the Irish border staged a formalised meeting for the first time today - in line with a recommendation incorporated in the report on policing in Northern Ireland by European Commissioner and former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland moved today to defuse a row which threatens to overshadow the graduation of its first new recruits next week.