A senior police officer last night accused Sinn Fein of plotting to stage a riot during today's Orange parades in Belfast.

According to police intelligence, Sinn Fein is planning to bus hundreds of young republicans into the city in order to disrupt the busiest day of the marching season.

Alan McQuillan, assistant chief constable in Belfast, said: "Sinn Fein started this. Sinn Fein can stop it."