Belfast police refuse to help dismantle loyalist bonfire on site containing asbestos

Sinn Fein has said failing to tear down pyre would be victory for mob rule, but PSNI says intervention carries more risk

Police have refused a Belfast city council request to help dismantle a controversial loyalist bonfire that is believed to pose risks to public health and to energy supplies.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Thursday that letting the bonfire go ahead was less risky than trying to stop it - a decision that Sinn Fein said would be giving in to mob rule.