Loyalist research group ‘could aid peace process’
A revived loyalist political consultation group could help draw the Ulster Defence Association back towards the peace process, it was claimed today.
John White, a close associate of jailed UDA commander Johnny Adair, said the reconstituted Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) may give birth to a new political party which gave a voice to the outlawed paramilitary group.
The ceasefire called by the UDA and its sub-grouping the Ulster Freedom Fighters in 1994 was de-recognised by the Government last year - formally placing the organisation outside the peace process - following a series of sectarian attacks on Catholics.
It most recently carried out the murder of young postal worker Danny McColgan just over two weeks ago, a killing which prompted large-scale anti-public rallies throughout Northern Ireland six days afterwards.
The UDA’s political wing, the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP), subsequently disbanded after a 22-year existence because of in-fighting.
Mr White - a west Belfast member of the UPRG - said it had been re-established some months ago as the same group which led to the formation of the UDP by murdered UDA leader John McMichael - his son Gary subsequently led the party.
He claimed it drew opinion from working class loyalists sympathetic to the thinking of the UDA, meeting two or three times a week, and was currently organised in the same areas as the UDA: north Belfast, west Belfast, east Belfast, south Belfast, south-east Antrim; and North Antrim & Derry.
He said: ‘‘I think this group is attempting to bring together the diverse views, particularly on the Good Friday Agreement, together and to represent the UDA politically.’’
He claimed the UDP had been increasingly isolated by the Government following the striking of the Good Friday Agreement before its demise and added: ‘‘The Government didn’t realise that that was a mistake.
‘‘If a new party or group evolves out of this research group they would have some influence on the UDA because the UDA and many loyalists feel excluded from the political process. This kind of group greatly enhances a sense of inclusion and could have a very positive effect.’’
