UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“A man is fighting for his life, supported by our society's finest, our doctors and nurses. I pray he survives.

“There will be plenty to say in the days and weeks ahead about why anyone thinks they have any authority - moral, political or otherwise - to do something as cowardly as shoot a police officer.  For tonight, my thoughts are with the officer, his family, his colleagues and those who are looking after him.”