Minister under pressure following Belfast riot

Northern Ireland security minister Shaun Woodward faced growing pressure today after a riot in north Belfast yesterday evening…

Northern Ireland security minister Shaun Woodward faced growing pressure today after a riot in north Belfast yesterday evening.

The riot happened at the flashpoint area of the Ardoyne intersection when Celtic and Rangers supporters clashed.

Eighteen officers were injured in the riots and one police woman had a bottle smashed over her head. Another officer suffered a serious foot injury as up to 200 people took to the streets and pelted police with stones, bottles and other missiles.

The DUP's Nigel Dodds called on the minister to free up police resources for the area.

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He said "if the security minister is condemning what's happened, I agree with him, but let's see the colour of his money. He needs to put the resources in to prevent this violence because that's what the ordinary people are demanding.

"It is clear that north Belfast still needs a lot of police resources," Mr Dodds added.

Mr Woodward had earlier said: "Public disorder of this kind involving young people, many of whom were drunk, cannot be tolerated."