Durkan attacks British govt attitude to loyalist violence

SDLP leader Mark Durkan has launched a blistering attack on Northern Secretary Peter Hain and the leaders of the two main unionist parties over their attitude to loyalist violence.

The SDLP has accused Mr Hain and the leaders of the DUP and UUP of turning a blind eye to a massive upsurge in loyalist attacks in recent months.

The UDA has been accused of orchestrating a sectarian campaign against Catholic properties in north Antri, while the UVF and LVF have been involved in a vicious feud in Belfast that has left four people dead.

The British Government announced last night that it no longer recognises the UVF ceasefire as a result of the organisation's involvement in the four feud-related murders and the rioting that has gripped Belfast over the past few days.

However, Mr Durkan said he had been calling for this move for months and could not understand why Mr Hain was failing to act until now.

He said it appeared Britain did not care about the four UVF murders and was only acting because police officers and British soldiers had come under attack during the recent riots.

The SDLP leader also said it was lamentable that the leaders of the DUP and the UUP had not sought any meeting with Mr Hain in relation to the loyalist violence, but had demanded one in relation to Saturday's re-routed Orange Order parade in Belfast.