'Real IRA to blame': Flanagan

Chief Constable of the North's Police Service, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has said that the dissident Real IRA are the chief suspects behind last night's car bomb in Birmingham.

No one was injured in the blast, which occurred as late-night revellers crowded the city centre.

Sir Ronnie warned that dissidents republicans would continue to try to disrupt the process and that this must be prevented.

He also reiterated his call for Sinn Fein to take its seats on the new Police Board, following the formal introduction of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland last night.

Sinn Fein is the only political party in the North which has yet to give the new force its backing.