Security minister Ian Pearson

Ministers have condemned the murder of a man in east Belfast.

Loyalist sources are said to be blaming the Ulster Volunteer Force for the gun attack on Tuesday morning.

The 34-year old victim from the Castlereagh area is thought to have had links to the Loyalist Volunteer Force.

The two groups have recently been involved in feuding in Belfast.

"This callous act is to be condemned by all right thinking people," said Northern Ireland security minister Ian Pearson.

"I will be keeping in close contact with the PSNI [Police Service of Northern Ireland] as their investigation into this murder progresses and I would call on anyone who has information to pass it to the police."

His comments were echoed by detective chief superintendent Phil Wright.

"It's a heinous crime, I can't find words to describe it," he said.

"But there are witnesses out there who can come forward and help us find who did this."