LCC Issues Warning To Unionists and Loyalists Against Voting For Alliance

The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) has issued a warning to all "unionists and loyalists against voting for Alliance Party candidates".

In a statement the LCC, which involves loyalist paramilitaries, said: "Many unionists think they can retain their unionism yet vote for Alliance candidates. They are sorely mistaken in that belief. No party does more to undermine the Britishness of Northern Ireland, and foment community mistrust and division than the Alliance Party. Any unionist who votes for the Alliance Party is driving a nail into the coffin of the Union. This Party must be rejected at the polls by all unionists and loyalists."

However, UUP Leader Robin Swann rejected the support.

He said: "The Ulster Unionist Party is a party of law and order.

"We have not asked for the support of paramilitary organisations nor do we want the backing of organisations still engaged in paramilitary or criminal activity."

Sinn Fein has called on DUP Leader Arlene Foster to immediately reject the endorsement of loyalist paramilitary groups.

North Belfast candidate John Finucane said: "The LCC statement supporting Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott and the DUP’s Nigel Dodds, Gavin Robinson and Emma Pengelly is just the latest example of loyalist paramilitaries publicly endorsing unionist candidates in this election.

"I welcome the fact that UUP leader Robin Swann has today rejected their support but the ongoing failure of Arlene Foster to do the same speaks volumes about the hypocrisy of the DUP.

"The DUP like to claim they are the party of law and order but obviously not when it comes to courting the support of paramilitary groups which are still actively involved in violence, intimidation and murder as recently as last week.

"That is simply unacceptable. Arlene Foster needs to immediately reject the support of these organisations and make it clear they have no place in our society and should disband immediately."

(CD)