Potential political fallout ‘cannot be underestimated’

THE raids began around 5am. Teams of police officers fanned out across north and west Belfast, arresting four people and searching their homes.

At the same time, dozens of officers, detectives, technical support and uniforms, were carried in Land Rovers through the gates of Stormont in the east of the city.

They were about to carry out an unprecedented search and seize operation at the heart of the Northern