Ulster leaders unite to condemn violence

Northern Ireland's First Minister, Peter Robinson, and the region's Chief Constable, Matt Baggott, denied there was a rift between them yesterday after three nights of rioting across of the province.

Mr Robinson and Mr Baggott insisted they were supportive of each other's efforts to deal with the violence that has left more than 80 police officers injured.

In Ardoyne, north Belfast, the scene of Monday night's disturbances, a number of petrol bombs were thrown at police, who responded with water cannon. Police earlier worked to tackle attempts by youths to spark violence in nationalist areas of Belfast.

Mr Robinson and Martin McGuinness, the Deputy First Minister, issued a statement condemning the violence. Mr Robinson said: "I am disgusted at the outright thuggery and vandalism that has taken place over the course of the last 48 hours. There is no excuse and no place for violence in a civilised society."