Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister 12 May 2014

The deputy first minister said the people of east Belfast were "being dictated to by a gang of hoods and criminals".

The deputy First Minister said recent attacks, including those on Alliance party offices and the homes of Polish people, were being orchestrated by the UVF and elements of the Orange Order.

He called on unionist politicians to stand up and tell the public who they thought was responsible.

"We have not been speaking with one voice in recent times," Mr McGuinness said.

Gregory Campbell MLA said the minister's condemnation would carry more weight if he admitted "all of the hate crimes that he was engaged in when he was in the IRA".

The minister said Mr Campbell was "very embittered" and he did not want to live his life that way.

At the end of topical questions, the deputy first minister said he was going directly to meet the chief constable to discuss racist and sectarian attacks in Belfast.

In reply to a question from Ulster Unionist Samuel Gardiner, the Minister called for the parties to resume discussions on matters considered during the Haass talks about the past, parading and flags.

"I think it is hugely important that we get back to that work," he said.