Progressive Unionist Party leader, Mr David Ervine, said yesterday that a loyalist plot to murder civil servants working at the Anglo Irish Secretariat in Belfast was news to him, although it could not be ruled out.
Mr Ervine, whose party has close links with the UVF, said. "I think we are in difficult circumstances but I have to say I have not heard of this one. Maryfield has been there a long time and it has not been attacked yet," he said.
It is understood security is being stepped up.