Patrols stepped up in bid to quell loyalist turf war

WELL over 100 police officers and soldiers have been assigned to try and calm a violent loyalist paramilitary feud in Belfast.

Hitting out at the drug dealers behind the developing shooting war that has left one man dead, PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde yesterday issued a contemptuous response to allegations that the security services were plotting with one of the terrorist factions.

Progressive Unionist leader David Ervine, whose party is linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), claimed police were colluding with the rival Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF).