Police reaction:The pipebomb-style devices that Michael Stone attempted to carry into Parliament Buildings in Stormont yesterday were crude, but capable of killing, PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said last night.
The chief constable responded promptly to a call from Northern Secretary Peter Hain for "an immediate assessment" on the gun and bomb attack by Stone.
Within 30 minutes of the call, Sir Hugh commented on the weapons used by the loyalist convicted murderer and on the levels of security in place at Parliament Buildings. Referring to the six to eight devices found in Stone's bag, he said they were crude, yet capable of killing.
Speaking at police headquarters in east Belfast, he said: "I think it would be fair to say they were fairly amateurish in design. But that does not make them any less dangerous. Their potential for death, destruction and injury is being assessed."
Questioned about the police presence at Stormont, he commended the current arrangements and the bravery of those who disarmed Michael Stone.
"Security [ at Stormont] seems to be fairly effective. We will of course review it and if there are lessons to be learned we will learn them. But I am clear the situation is right."
It was reported last night that the presence of police officers at Stormont had been reduced in response to some Assembly members who wanted security cover at what is a public building to be seen to be as close to normal as possible.
The Stormont estate does have vehicle security checkpoints at its main gates, but remains a public park which is popular with local residents.
Sir Hugh said it was important to note that yesterday's attack was not mounted from proscribed organisations still committed to undermining the peace process.
"The threat was not from a dissident republican; the threat today was from a lunatic," he said.
It was "a sad publicity act by a very sad individual", he added.