Police back assessment that loyalist paramilitaries did not threaten port staff (Liam McBurney/PA) A senior police officer has stood by the assessment that loyalist paramilitaries were not behind alleged threats to port staff in Northern Ireland earlier this year. A Stormont committee is examining the circumstances around the withdrawal by Mid and East Antrim Council of staff carrying out post-Brexit checks after allegations of loyalist intimidation. Department of Agriculture staff at Larne port were also withdrawn at the start of February. PSNI cars outside the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs offices near the Port of Larne (Liam McBurney/PA)