NORTH Belfast MP Nigel Dodds was seriously injured during rioting in north Belfast last night. The DUP politician was taken from the scene in an ambulance shortly after 9.30pm. It was reported that he had been knocked unconscious. DUP councillor Brian Kingston tweeted that Mr Dodds had been hit on the head by a thrown object. Police tweeted that a missile was thrown at police lines and struck the DUP deputy leader. However, it was suggested at the scene that Mr Dodds was far from police lines and the missile may have been thrown deliberately at him by disgruntled loyalists he had been trying to calm. Earlier in the evening Mr Dodds, who had been left dripping after being soaked by a water cannon, spoke to senior police officers and told reporters he would spend a couple of hours trying to ease tensions. In April Mr Dodds (54) was taken to hospital after falling ill at Westminster. He spent the night in hospital in London but the DUP later said he was given the all-clear.
? HIT BY OBJECT: North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds
? FLAG: A loyalist stands in front of police lines
? WATER CANNON: Police use a water cannon during rioting at Woodvale last night
? BARRIER: An Orangeman in front of police lines at Twaddell Avenue, Belfast
? INJURY: A police officer lies injured during rioting at Woodvale