Fears of loyalist feud after Adair expelled from UDA
Fears of a new loyalist feud are growing today after yesterday’s expulsion of UDA man, Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair from the group.
Adair tore up the UDA Inner Council expulsion order when it was given to him and is said to be unrepentant about his alleged links to a rival group, the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF).
The UDA, an already volatile and undisciplined group, is in danger of becoming even more splintered over the action taken by its six so-called brigadiers in expelling Adair.
It is believed that a rift developed between Adair and his former associates after he blamed one of them for the murder of LVF man and drugs dealer, Stephen Warnock, two weeks ago.
Subsequently, the UDA leader in East Belfast, Jim Gray, was shot in the face.
John White, a close associate of Adair, said that he was taken aback by the decision and the West Belfast unit of the UDA had not been represented at the meeting expelling Adair.
It is not thought that Adair will join the LVF and his supporters remain fiercely loyal but all warn of a potentially dangerous situation.
