‘Gangsterism masquerading as loyalism’ says Hain

Secretary of State Peter Hain has hit out at the ongoing loyalist feud claiming it was “gangsterism masquerading as loyalism.”

Mr Hain made his comments in the wake of this week’s murder of a 42-year-old man in Belfast, one of the latest incidents in a spate of attacks believed to be connected with the latest loyalist paramilitary feud.

Michael Green, 42, was shot dead on Monday as he arrived at work on his motorbike in the Sandy Row area of south Belfast.

Mr Hain emphasised that the PSNI had already carried out 90 searches and arrested 20 people in relation to the feud - as a result of the arrests 10 people have been charged.

"What is important at this time is to bring an end to this violence and intimidation through effective policing and the PSNI deserve the support of the whole community especially in loyalist areas," he said.

The Northern Ireland Office also condemned the ongoing murders and called for “the support of the whole community”, especially in loyalist areas.

“Anyone with information about any violent attacks or murders should make it known to the Police immediately,” an NIO spokesperson said.

Last month Craig McCausland, 20, was shot by the UVF at his girlfriend's house in north Belfast - he later died in hospital.

In June Jameson Lockhart was shot dead he sat in a lorry outside the demolished ‘Avenue One’ bar on the Newtownards Road.

(MB/SP)