Mr Billy Hutchinson of Progressive Unionist Party today condemned this morning’s bomb in the Ardoyne area.
Mr Hutchinson said: "This is not the sort of thuggish behaviour we want. The people responsible should be ashamed of themselves."
Five RUC officers were hurt when the device was thrown. The Red Hand Defenders - used as a cover-name for various loyalists groups including the UDA - admitted it threw the bomb.
Mr Hutchinson said: "No protest can be justified now. This is no longer about children going to school. It's about people out to cause trouble and I don't want to be part of it.
"I am sick to my stomach. I can even say I am ashamed to be a Loyalist."
Following this morning’s blast bomb attack, Sinn Féin Assembly member Mr Gerry Kelly accused loyalists of targeting Catholic children with the device and made a fresh call for an immediate end to the protest.
He said: "Somebody sat down in a paramilitary organisation last night and said the thing to do is to try to attack them with a blast bomb . . . The protesters have to be asked is this what they want?"
SDLP MLA Mr Alban Maginness agreed the device was directed at Catholics heading towards Holy Cross. He said there was no justification for the protests and that they must end.
The blast bomb was condemned by the north Belfast Democratic Unionist Party member Mr Nigel Dodds who said: "It is totally unacceptable in this sort of environment and situation. It is not wanted by the local community."
However, Ulster Democratic Party chairman Mr John White, whose party is linked to the loyalist paramilitary group the UDA, said Protestant residents should be allowed to protest in a "peaceful and dignified manner"
"It is vital dialogue is allowed to take place and that people let elected representatives take part in those discussions in a calm atmosphere," he added.
PA