Two loyalists shot dead in Belfast

Two men have been shot dead in Belfast, signalling the eruption of a feud between rival loyalist paramilitary organisations.

Two men have been shot dead in Belfast, signalling the eruption of a feud between rival loyalist paramilitary organisations.

The murdered men, who were linked to the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), were sitting in a Range Rover outside a bookmaker's shop on the city's Crumlin Road when they were shot. One man was killed at the scene, while the other died later in hospital.

The Ulster Defence Association has blamed the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) for the killing.

About an hour later a gunman in a passing car fired at the offices of the Ulster Democratic Party, the political wing of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

One man was slightly hurt.

Several bullet holes were clearly visible in the plate glass window of the office which doubles as a prisoner's aid and resettlement centre.

The UVF was immediately accused of that attack as well.

It is understood that the dead man had links with the UDA and was well known in the Shankill area where trouble between the two sides erupted on Saturday.