Loyalist violence over the flying of the union flag will be firmly dealt with for as long as necessary, the North’s police chief declared after a fourth night of rioting.

SDLP Councillor Claire Hanna, her husband and their baby daughter have escaped injury after shots were fired at their home in East Belfast, hitting the front door and windows.

Politicians and church leaders are holding talks in the North this afternoon in an attempt to stem loyalist street violence over the flying of the Union flag.