Loyalists riot for third night in Belfast

Loyalist gangs have engaged in a third consecutive night of rioting throughout Belfast and surrounding areas following the re-routing of a contentious Orange Order parade.

Last night's violence was not as bad as the previous two nights, but one police officer was knocked unconscious with a brick during an attack in west Belfast.

Petrol bombs, fireworks and other missiles were also thrown at PSNI officers in various other parts of the city, as well as in Lisburn, Bangor, Newtownards and Newtownabbey.

Cars were also hijacked and set alight by the rioters, forcing the closure of several major roads.

The violence follows the re-routing of a disputed Orange Order parade which was banned from the nationalist Springfield Road on Saturday.

PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde has accused loyalist paramilitaries of orchestrating the attacks on his officers, including the firing of live ammunition on Saturday night.

He has also been severely critical of the Orange Order, some of whose members were centrally involved in the attacks.

The order is expected to make its first official statement on the situation today, but leading members have already refused to accept the blame or even to condemn the violence.

The most senior Orangeman in Belfast, Dawson Bailee, has claimed the riots were the fault of the British government, the PSNI and the Parades Commission.

The Orange Order Grand Master, Robert Saulters, has accused the PSNI chief constable of engaging in propaganda by blaming Orangemen for the attacks.

However, video footage clearly showed Orangemen throwing rocks at police and the chief constable said he had also seen other Orange Order members chatting to masked men who are known to be leading loyalist paramilitaries.