Paisley slams 'paramilitary evil'

One of the cars set alight during the violence

Northern Ireland must be rid of all remnants of paramilitarism, First Minister Ian Paisley has said.

He was speaking after police officers were attacked during disturbances on a Bangor housing estate on Wednesday.

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said he believed the UDA played a role in the trouble, and he personally thought they should not receive more money.

Mr Paisley said: "I give the chief constable my full support as he fights this terrible evil of paramilitarism."

"The attacks in Bangor were undoubtedly orchestrated and premeditated - this was the work of thugs and gangsters, and will be condemned by all right thinking people," he added.

Mr Paisley said he would be meeting government officials to ensure paramilitaries were given no concessions.

Baton rounds

Six people were struck with baton rounds during the violence on the Kilcooley estate.

Up to 200 people were involved in the rioting

Officers also came under attack from petrol bombs, stones and fireworks. A number of cars were also set alight.

Social development minister Margaret Ritchie has faced calls to withdraw £1.2m in funding for a loyalist community regeneration scheme which was introduced by her direct rule predecessor David Hanson.

The SDLP assembly member says she wants to hear the views of PSNI officers about who was behind Wednesday's violence.

Frankie Gallagher of the UDA-linked Ulster Political Research Group has insisted the package is not going to the paramilitary group and is being administered by Farset Community Enterprises.