Police chief meets loyalist delegation
Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde tonight met a delegation of loyalists, including paramilitary representatives, to discuss their concerns about crime and policing in Protestant areas.
Mr Orde’s talks with the Loyalist Commission, which includes Ulster Volunteer Force and Ulster Defence Association representatives, were the first since he took over the post last year.
Speaking after the meeting at police headquarters, both sides described the discussions as very positive and said more meetings would follow.
Mr Orde said: “The Loyalist Commission representatives were very keen to make the point that they fully understand we must tackle criminal behaviour and they expressed grave concerns about drugs.
“I’m always happy to meet people who wish to bring the concerns of their community to my attention.”
Nine members of the Loyalist Commission, an umbrella group which includes church leaders, politicians and paramilitaries, attended.
Commission chairman Rev Mervyn Gibson said both parties had gained a lot from the discussions.
“Both sides found it very positive. There were points we agreed on and points we disagreed on.”
Before the meeting, loyalist sources said they would be raising concerns about alleged police harassment in loyalist areas.
One source said: “Irish nationalists and republicans get a police service that respects their cultural and political backgrounds but loyalists have a force that treats them as nothing more than criminals.”
The Commission was set up to resolve tensions between feuding loyalist terror groups in Belfast.
Since then it has become involved in further initiatives to restore order and build confidence in working class Protestant districts.
