Abject failure of unionism to stand up to UVF in east Belfast, says McGuinness

JOINT First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA has hit out at the abject failure of political unionism to face down the UVF in east Belfast following what he described as a "disgraceful attack" on an Alliance Party office on Tuesday night, which has been blamed on the loyalist group.

Speaking during a visit to the office on the Newtownards Road on Wednesday,alongside east Belfast Sinn Féin Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, the Mid-Ulster MLA noted the absence of DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson:

"Where have you seen Peter Robinson and I standing together to condemn the activities of the UVF, and the lawbreakers and the criminals in east Belfast? It hasn't happened," he said.

McGuinness noted that the office is in Peter Robinson's own constituency yet he did not take part in the visit or stand with him to condemn the attack:

"I am not behind the door in challenging the activities of so-called dissident republicans. I've stood up to these people. But the question has to be asked -  why are unionist politicians reluctant to stand with me in the centre of east Belfast to condemn the activities of these loyalists?"

The Joint First Minister also described the PSNI repsonse to the activities of the UVF as 'inadequate'.

The Alliance Party office which was attacked with seven petrol bombs on Tuesday night has become a regular target of loyalist gangs since the party voted alongside Sinn Féin and the SDLP to for the Union flag only to be flown over Belfast City Hall on designated days.