IMC believed to have prepared report on UVF violence

The body set up to monitor paramilitary ceasefires in the North is believed to have prepared a special report on recent violence by the Ulster Volunteer Force.

The loyalist group has been involved in a feud with the rival LVF for the past two months that has already left four people dead.

The special report from the Independent Monitoring Commission is believed to blame the UVF for all four murders.

Such a move would put pressure on the British Government to de-recognise the UVF ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the PSNI has defended its handling of the growing levels of loyalist violence in the North.

Community leaders have accused the police of responding heavy-handedly during searches in Belfast linked to the investigation into UVF activity.

The searches sparked serious street violence in the Woodvale area yesterday, but PSNI chief superintendent Mike Little said today that the seizure of guns and other evidence showed the raids were justified.