Man freed in UVF murder inquiry

Bobby MoffettPolice said the murder of Bobby Moffett was cold-blooded and ruthless

A 49-year-old man questioned about the murder of a man on Belfast's Shankill Road has been released.

Bobby Moffett, 43, was shot in the face shortly before 1300 BST on Friday in an area that was crowded with shoppers.

The police said Mr Moffett had strong links to the Ulster Volunteer Force and was well-known in loyalist circles.

The arrested man, whose age was initially given as 40 by police, was released unconditionally.

At least two masked gunmen wearing fluorescent jackets shot Mr Moffett at the corner of Conway Street and the Shankill Road.

He died in hospital. Police do not believe the shooting was sectarian.

There is speculation that Mr Moffett may have been involved in a fight with a member of the UVF in recent days – but this may have been a personal dispute rather than anything to do with the organisation.

In a statement, the police said it was "a cold-blooded, ruthless killing".

"It is a chilling reminder of a violent past that everyone in the community hoped we had left behind," they added.

The gunmen were seen running off along nearby Conway Street.

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Japan coalition rupture over base

Mizuho Fukushima heads to meet PM Hatoyama on 28 May 2010SDP chief Mizuho Fukushima was fired on Friday over her stance on Okinawa

Japan's socialist party has voted to leave the ruling coalition because of a row over a US base in Okinawa.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP)had opposed PM Yukio Hatoyama's decision not to move the US Futenma airbase off the southern Japanese island.

On Friday Mr Hatoyama fired SDP chief Mizuho Fukushima from her ministerial post over her stance on the issue.

The SDP has few seats in parliament but the coalition deal secured the ruling party a majority in the upper house.

The decision came at a meeting of senior party officials.

"We will leave [the coalition] but we will explore relations with other parties in both houses of parliament," SDP secretary-general Yasumasa Shigeno told journalists.

The ruling Democrats have a large majority in the lower house, which they can use to force legislation through the upper house.

But the SDP's departure will come as a blow to Mr Hatoyama, whose approval ratings have been plummeting.

He also faces his first electoral test in July since last year's election, with polls for the upper house.

Ms Fukushima was fired as consumer affairs minister after she refused to sign off on the Futenma deal.

Mr Hatoyama had said during his election campaign that he would revisit the issue with the US – but then confirmed last week that the existing agreement to relocate the controversial base to the north of the island would stand.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Warning over 2,500 at gathering

Map of DaleThe gathering is near Dale, on the Pembrokeshire coast

Around 2,500 people are at an illegal gathering in the Dale area of Pembrokeshire, say police.

Officers are at the scene near Dale Castle and Dyfed-Powys Police have advised people not to travel to the area.

A force spokesman said they were “closely monitoring the situation..to ensure minimum disruption to the surrounding communities”.

Police confirmed loud music was being played at the site near the coast.

Anyone with information or concerns is asked to call police on 101.

‘Prevented’

There are some homes nearby.

The force spokesman said: “We advise that anyone who is considering travelling to the area not to do so as access will be prevented.”

He added that they also wanted to ensure the safety of those attending the gathering itself.

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