SDLP slams 'phoney' unionist campaign

The SDLP has slammed a new loyalist campaign which claims the British government is about to ditch the North.

The party said the so-called "Love Ulster" campaign that began today was a disgraceful attempt to spread fear and a sense of crisis.

Tens of thousands of free newspapers were delivered in unionist areas of the North today as part of the campaign against perceived nationalist dominance of the political process.

The organisers of the “Love Ulster” campaign believe moves like the establishment of the Parades Commission and the disbandment of the British Army's Royal Irish Regiment are harming unionist culture.

Allister McDonnell of the SDLP described the campaign as “phoney”. He said that it was a disgrace that the Orange Order endorsed the campaign.

Loyalist paramilitaries were involved in handing out today's newspapers.