A top loyalist and associate of Johnny Adair has survived an assassination attempt in north Belfast this morning.
A gunman fired a single shot at a car being driven by Mr Davy Mahood. The attacker's weapon jammed, and he escaped on a motorcycle.
The attack happened on the Oldpark Road near the junction with Deerpark Road at arond 9.15 a.m.
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Mr Mahood, a member of the Ulster Political Research Group, was on his way to his office in the neighbouring Ballysillan area.
Police were alerted when Mr Mahood flashed his car lights at an oncoming police Land Rover. "I was terrified, but I don't know who was responsible," he said. "The bullet missed. The gun jammed and when he tried to clear it, it jammed again. He was standing in a car park at the time."
Democratic Unionist MP Nigel Dodds condemned the attempt on Mr Mahood's life. "This incident is clearly aimed at stoking up tensions. The sinister elements responsible need to be apprehended as soon as possible and brought to justice," he said.
Sinn Féin MLA for the area Mr Gerry Kelly said he was satisfied the IRA was not behind the incident and added that he believed it could be loyalists or dissident republicans.