Mandelson challenge against Adair release due tomorrow

A bid by UFF leader Johnny Adair to regain his release from prison will be challenged by the British Government tomorrow at a private hearing. The North's Sentencing Review Commission will consider its preliminary ruling to set Mr Adair free from the term to which he was returned after he broke the terms of his release licence.

Lawyers acting on behalf of the Northern Secretary are seeking to have the decision overturned. However, John White of the UDP, the political wing of the UFF, said he was confident that Mr Adair's release would be pushed through.