O’Loan asked to investigate police handling of flashpoint violence

THE North’s Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan is to be asked to investigate the police handling of interfaith violence in a flashpoint area of east Belfast, Sinn Féin chairman Mitchel McLaughlin revealed yesterday.

Mr McLaughlin accused police and the Army of having a one-sided approach to disturbances early on Friday morning in the Short Strand after a night of sustained violence along the peace line.

Mr McLaughlin said police were lying when they claimed nationalists were instigating clashes in the area.