Northern Ireland's top policeman claims both the IRA and the UFF -- whose political wings are still involved in the peace talks -- have been involved in the latest spiral of violence.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary's Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan said the Ulster Freedom Fighters, who have links with the Ulster Democratic Party which is taking part in the peace process, had been directly involved in the recent spate of sectarian killings.

He said the outlawed UFF -- an often used cover name for the outlawed Ulster Defence Association -- carried out some of the killings.

He said the UFF was responsible for gun attacks which have left three Catholics dead since New Year's Eve.

Northern Ireland security expert Alan Murray explains the motivation behind the tit-for-tat killings (2' 33")

But Mr Flanagan also claimed IRA gunmen had shot and wounded a man in a Belfast bar three weeks ago, a clear breach as well of the Mitchell Principles of democracy and non-violence which all the parties signed up to before taking their seats at the Stormont conference table.

He said more troops were being redeployed in Belfast from other parts of the province in a bid to thwart the wave of hit-and-run shootings.

Ronnie Flanagan: "Situation is not out of control"

A special team has also been set up to coordinate the police inquiry into the breakaway Loyalist Volunteer Force.

The LVF has carried out a number of murders since the killing of their leader Billy Wright at the Maze Prison just before Christmas.

The Chief Constable admitted he was deeply worried about the shootings but he insisted a "dangerous and difficult situation" was not out of control.

There are fears the Northern Ireland peace process may be threatened if the UFF admit responsibility for the murders.

Ben Hughes, 55, a man with no known links to any paramilitary organisation, became the eighth victim of the latest violence when he was shot leaving work in Belfast on Wednesday evening.

No group has claimed responsibility for his death.

Talks in 'good shape'

After ministers met to considered the wave of killings in Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said the government believed that the talks process remained in "good shape".

More soldiers are being deployed on Belfast's streets to stop the killings

He said there was nothing to indicate any problem with the IRA ceasefire.

It would be for the participants in the talks process to decide whether any of the Mitchell principles had been violated because of reports of loyalist involvement in the latest killing, he said.

The spokesman said Tony Blair had repeated his condemnation of the killings and said they must not be allowed to derail the peace process.
 

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