The discovery by police of 20lbs of high powered explosives in a loyalist part of north Belfast is a deeply alarming development.
Sources within the UVF have accepted responsibility for the cache, but denied any plans to launch a bombing campaign.
However, it is ludicrous that an organisation which is supposed to be on ceasefire should be storing such material in a built-up area close to nationalist districts.
The seizure underlines the need for unionist politicians to intensify their efforts to secure loyalist decommissioning.
Some elected representatives dispute the extent of republican disarmament while ignoring the fact that loyalists have retained 100% of their weaponry.
This is entirely unacceptable. It is essential that double standards are removed from the debate on decommissioning.
