Belfast violence 'spiralling out of control'

The situation at a sectarian flashpoint in east Belfast is spiralling out of control, unionist politicians and Protestant clergymen in the district warned tonight.

Democratic Unionists, Ulster Unionists, loyalist politicians and clergymen vowed in a joint statement to do all they could to defuse tensions in the area surrounding the nationalist Short Strand after a night of violence which saw nine police officers injured during clashes with Protestants.