A DUP MLA for North Belfast has said the UVF and UDA have an ‘important role’ in bringing racist violence in Belfast to an end and called on them to ‘use their influence’ in response to continuing attacks on ethnic minorities.
Brian Kingston was speaking on The Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster after an estate agents on the Woodvale Road in north Belfast was rammed by a car on Tuesday night.
The MLA for the constituency said it was ‘very depressing’ to see the situation deteriorating in Belfast following a fourth consecutive night of racially fuelled disorder in the city.
A senior PSNI officer said on Tuesday that she had “no doubt” there was a paramilitary element to the attacks.
“I would appeal to everyone who can use their influence to bring this to an end and that includes people associated with paramilitaries,” Mr Kingston said.
“I think the vast majority of people recognise that this is doing great harm to the community, nothing good is going to come out of this increasing anger and hate within the community.
“We will always have foreign nationals living in this area, they make an important contribution to the area.
When pressed by presenter Stephen Nolan on whether he and the DUP would support an escalation of PSNI activity against paramilitaries involved in the disorder, Kingston said they had an ‘important role’ to play.
“I’m saying they have an important role to bring this to an end and they should use their influence to bring it to an end.
“The police should crack down on everyone who is taking part in this criminality.”
