NATIONALISTS have reacted angrily to a statement by First Minister Peter Robinson and UUP leader Mike Nesbitt about violence during a July 12 parade in east Belfast.
In a joint statement issued yesterday, the unionist leaders gave an account of a PSNI review of the trouble which focused on attacks by Short Strand residents on Orange Order marchers.
They also claimed that police admitted shortcomings in the operation during a meeting with Chief Constable Matt Baggott and Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton last week.
In the statement the unionists called for members of the Apprentice Boys to be allowed to have a "peaceful, respectful day" during marches due to be held this weekend.
Sinn Fein last night criticised the leaders for making no mention of the attack by loyalists on Belfast lord mayor Mairtin O Muilleoir as he attended the opening of a park in north Belfast this week.
The party insists that the trouble in Short Strand on July 12 erupted after
loyalists attacked Catholic homes in the Strand Walk district.
Police also issued a detailed response to the unionist leaders' statement last night.
ACC George Hamilton confirmed that a "large number of people associated with the parade as participants and spectators, including a number of young children, received injuries as a result of missiles being thrown from the Short Strand" in what appeared to be pre-planned attack.
However, he also set out
how tensions had been increased by the unpredictable nature of Orange Order protests
and "the 'stalling' of the parade and sectarian chanting for over 15 minutes by some associated with the parade as it passed Short Strand".
He added that "a large number of missiles [were] thrown from the Newtownards Road into the Short Strand area".
The unionist leaders' statement made no reference to these conclusions.
Sinn Fein councillor for the area Niall O Donnghaile last night criticised both unionist leaders.
"Neither Peter Robinson nor Mike Nesbitt have set foot in the Short Strand, yet in order to play to the lowest common denominator within their community they seek to make political capital out of attacks on a small Catholic community," he said.
"Through their selective accounts of the PSNI report on the day they have once again failed to show leadership."
The unionist leaders also called on "community and parading representatives" to organise a seminar in advance of the talks chaired by Richard Haass in September to "identify the issues and attitudes that need to be addressed".
Meanwhile, the Orange Order has refused to reveal if it has passed the names of any members involved in violent clashes with police at Woodvale in north Belfast to the PSNI.
It has also declined to confirm if any members have been suspended arising out of the violence.
In response to a question from Sinn Fein councillor Gerard McCabe, a spokesman said: "Brethren convicted of a criminal offence are dealt with in accordance with the institution's internal disciplinary proceedings."