27/02/2002

Tory MP meets loyalist paramilitary chiefs in Belfast

The Conservative spokesman on Northern Ireland Quentin Davies has held face-to-face talks with loyalist paramilitary chiefs.

The meeting between Mr Davies and members of the self-named Loyalist Commission took place at a secret location in Belfast on Tuesday February 26.

It has been reported members of the three main paramilitary organisations - the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando were present at the meeting which lasted about two and a half hours.

Afterwards, Mr Davies, the MP for Grantham and Stamford said he found the talks “useful”.

No loyalist paramilitary organisations have started to disarm, despite the IRA act of decommissioning last year.

Both the UDA and Loyalist Volunteer Force ceasefires were declared invalid by Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid following a sustained campaign of pipe bombings and rioting in north Belfast and the murder of Sunday World journalist Martin O'Hagan.

Meanwhile it is has emerged that the UDA forced contractors extending Carnmoney cemetery to leave the site, a fortnight after Daniel McColgan was murdered.

They were working only a short distance away from the spot where the father of one was shot dead. The men have not returned to the cemetery and work has been suspended.

(AMcE)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

09 April 2002
Fresh demands on loyalists to decommission
There have been fresh calls from both sides of the political divide for loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons following a second historic move from the IRA.
16 November 2004
UDA ceasefire ‘genuine’ says Murphy
The UDA ceasefire is “holding” and “genuine”, Secretary of State Paul Murphy has told MPs in the House of Commons. Mr Murphy was explaining his decision to the loyalist paramilitary group's cessation of violence, which officially came into effect at midnight Sunday.
15 November 2004
Murphy to outline response to UDA ceasefire statement
Secretary of State Paul Murphy is to explain to the House of Commons why he has recognised a new UDA ceasefire which came into effect at midnight on Sunday.
05 November 2002
LVF and UDA feud over
The feud between loyalist paramilitary groups the Loyalist Volunteer Force and the Ulster Defence Association is over. The announcement came on Tuesday afternoon after the two groups met at a hotel venue today to agree a joint statement to end the bitter feud in which three men lost their lives.
27 March 2002
Pat Finucane inquiry team arrest senior UDA man
A senior loyalist paramilitary has been arrested for questioning about the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. PSNI officers arrested the leading member of the Ulster Defence Association in the early hours of Wednesday March 27.