Unionists hit back at criticism of police

Unionist politicians and the Police Federation have hit back at the deputy chairman of the North’s policing board after he accused the police of not doing enough to tackle loyalist violence.

Denis Bradley was speaking following the UDA murder of 19-year-old Gerard Lawlor in north Belfast on Sunday and the targeting of three other Catholic civilians.

The Police Federation has insisted that its members are doing their best to deal with the situation and said Mr Bradley’s comments were adding insult to injury.

The DUP’s Ian Paisley Jnr said the remarks were despicable and would lower police morale.