Hain defends Orde’s criticism of Orange Order rioters

Northern Secretary Peter Hain has defended PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde's criticism of the Orange Order in the wake of this weekend's loyalist riots in Belfast.

Mr Orde was severely critical of the order yesterday, accusing it of sharing the blame for the violence.

Video footage clearly showed Orangemen engaged in throwing missiles at the police following a contentious paradae that was banned from the nationalist Springfield Road.

Orange Order Grand Master Robert Saulters accused the PSNI chief constable of engaging in propaganda, but Mr Hain rejected this accusation today.

Speaking ahead of talks with Mr Orde at Stormont Castle, he said he had seen footage of Orangemen taking off their sashes and throwing rocks at the police.

The Northern Secretary said the loyalist rampage over the weekend was "horrifying" and the PSNI had offered to show the footage to any unionist leader who doubted the seriousness of the violence.