Despite reports that the UDA was behind the assault, Sir Hugh described it as "local action rather than organised action by any paramilitary group" .

He said the victim of the attack - who was tied to a lamp-post and had hot tar poured over his head, followed by feathers - "has not been positively identified".

Sir Hugh did blame the UDA for serious rioting in Bangor's Kilcooley estate on August 1, saying the incident was "extremely violent".

"The level of violence was at the top end," he told members during today's board meeting in Belfast.

Two gunmen fired seven shots at officers during the riot he said.

Sir Hugh said the rioting was organised by the UDA in response to a major investigation by police, believed to concern drug dealing.