RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan believes the escalating campaign of pipe bomb attacks is being carried out by maverick loyalists, was claimed tonight.
North Belfast MP Cecil Walker said he had been told there was no reason to indicate that it was an orchestrated campaign by mainstream loyalist paramilitaries.
"Sir Ronnie said that it was his opinion that it was maverick loyalists with loose links with the Ulster Defence Association.
"He said they were carrying out sectarian attacks in order to destablilise the peace process."
Mr Walker was part of an Ulster Unionist delegation that met the Chief Constable at RUC headquarters today to demand more arrests.
The SDLP will meet Sir Ronnie and Northern Ireland security minister Mr Adam Ingram tomorrow to discuss the recent upsurge in sectarian violence.
The party's North Belfast Assembly member Alban Maginness described the situation as totally unacceptable.
"We call on those with influence to use it to end this spiral of morally bankrupt attacks," he said.
Mr Walker said the Chief Constable had assured his delegation that everything was being done to put an end to the attacks and he hoped to see positive results soon.
PA