Over 100 police officers and soldiers have been assigned to a violent loyalist paramilitary feud in Belfast, Northern Ireland's Chief Constable has said.
Mr Hugh Orde also responded to allegations that the security services were plotting with one of the paramilitary factions.
The Progressive Unionist leader, Mr David Ervine, whose party is linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force, had claimed police were colluding with the rival Loyalist Volunteer Force.
But after talks with the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, and his security minister, Mr Ian Pearson, Mr Orde challenged the PUP chief by declaring: "He needs to put up or shut up. If he's got evidence, we have an independent, vigorous investigator of complaints against police."
The Chief Constable met the Secretary of State as the authorities attempted to quell heightening tensions on the streets of Belfast following the UVF murder of senior LVF man Brian Stewart (34), who was shot in the east of the city last week.
Since then several bomb attacks and shooting incidents have been linked to the escalating dispute between the bitterly opposed organisations.
Mr Orde said patrols have been stepped up and army units brought in to cope with the violence.