Loyalist link to city murder

The victim's car is covered with a sheet

Loyalist sources are blaming the Ulster Volunteer Force for the murder of a man in east Belfast.

Brian Stewart, 34, was shot dead in a gun attack in an industrial estate in the city shortly before 0800 BST on Tuesday.

He is understood to have been linked to another loyalist organisation - the Loyalist Volunteer Force.

Both loyalist groups have been involved in recent feuding in Belfast.

The incident took place at Alanbrooke Road off Montgomery Road in the Castlereagh area.

Detectives have appealed for witnesses, and are particularly keen to contact the driver of a red car which was almost in collision with another vehicle close to the scene.

Mr Stewart was shot at close range in his car as he arrived for work at the industrial estate.

He was a driver for a plumbing firm.

Members of an ambulance crew which was quickly on the scene tried to treat him but he died in his car.

The killers' getaway car was abandoned nearby

The gunmen drove off in a silver Lexus car which was found abandoned nearby and on fire beside Lisnasharragh police station.

BBC Northern Ireland security editor Brian Rowan said: "I have been told that the victim would have had links with the LVF and would have been a significant figure within that organisation.

"This was unquestionably a UVF murder... all of this is being seen as inter-loyalist feuding between these two organisations."

Detective Chief Superintendent Phil Wright said the murder happened in a busy built up area and he was appealing for witnesses.

He said: "It's a heinous crime, I can't find words to describe it.

"But there are witnesses out there who can come forward and help us find who did this."

The Stormont Security Minister Ian Pearson said: "This callous act is to be condemned by all right thinking people.

"I will be keeping in close contact with the PSNI as their investigation into this murder progresses and I would call on anyone who has information to pass it to the police."

'Significant figure'

Belfast Lord Mayor Martin Morgan of the SDLP, said there was "no place in Belfast for murder, violence and paramilitary attacks".

"I am deeply shocked and saddened at this news. Any death is a tragedy, and all my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victim," he said.

Ulster Unionist assembly member Michael Copeland said such a death benefited no-one.

"It is just more evidence of people who are unable to settle their differences in any other way except that which results in death," he said.

"I can see no rhyme nor reason nor advantage to be gained from it."

The DUP's Ruth Patterson said the shooting was "absolutely appalling".

"No-one has the right to murder anyone in cold blood no matter what the situation may be," she said.

"Feuding between paramilitaries is no excuse. Those involved in this callous murder must be caught, brought before the courts and sentenced appropriately."