The Communities Minister told his scrutiny committee he had made clear to the Loyalist Communities Council the importance of the democratic process.

The First Minister’s comments came amid an ongoing controversy over the decision of two DUP ministers to meet the Loyalist Communities Council.

The Education Minister accused other parties of ‘hypocrisy’ over their criticism of his meetings with the Loyalist Communities Council.

Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan met the Loyalist Communities Council last week.

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane described the meeting as ‘deeply concerning’.

The election posters of Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill and recently re-elected SDLP MP Claire Hanna appeared on a pyre.

The loyalist activist has denied he misrepresented elements of the meeting in social media posts

The veteran loyalist had denied a number of offences against him.

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson was giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.

Three men were denied bail at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

A court hearing earlier this week was told up to 60 men had gathered in an estate in Newtownards.

A number of properties have been attacked in the conflict in the Ards and North Down area.