All remnants of paramilitarism must disappear from Northern Ireland society, the North's First Minister, the Rev Ian Paisley, insisted today.
As the Ulster Defence Association faced mounting criticism over recent riots, the Democratic Unionist leader said he would be meeting the British Government to ensure paramilitaries were given no concessions .
He claimed Wednesday's disturbances in the loyalist Kilcooley estate in Bangor, involving up to 200 people, was the work of thugs and gangsters.
"I give the Chief Constable [Sir Hugh Orde] my full support as he fights this terrible evil of paramilitarism. It is absolutely imperative that every step is taken to ensure that all the remnants of paramilitarism are removed from society," Dr Paisley said.
"I will be meeting with the [British] Government in the coming days to reiterate that there must be no conceding to paramilitaries," he said. "We must not feed them. They must be faced down and met with the full rigours of the law."
Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has also condemned Wednesday night's attacks on the police in the Kilcooley area.
Police had earlier raided around 14 homes as part of an operation against organised crime in north Down linked to the Ulster Defence Association.
Community workers on the housing estate said tensions spilled over after one family burying a loved one were not allowed to enter their homes and dress for the funeral.
PA