The North's First Minister has endorsed a proposal for a special RUC task force to investigate "punishment" attacks. The anti-paramilitary group, Families Against Intimidation and Terror, requested the new body.
Members of FAIT and the mother of a man who died after an IRA "punishment" shooting met Mr David Trimble at Stormont yesterday. FAIT asked for four RUC officers in Belfast and two from Derry to investigate the paramilitary attacks.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Trimble said there was no justification for "punishment" attacks. "I am sure I speak for everyone in Northern Ireland when I express the horror and revulsion felt by society at the number of vicious attacks that have been carried out by paramilitaries since the start of the new year.
"It is a matter of deep concern to me that some of these groups have representatives elected to this body who are doing nothing to prevent these clear breaches of the Belfast Agreement."
He will discuss the proposal with the RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan.