No Meetings Took Place Between Police & UVF

A senior PSNI officer has dismissed claims of formal meetings with the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) during a bonfire dispute in east Belfast.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd issued a statement in response to allegations that police engaged with a man known to be a UVF leader in the run up to the loyalist celebrations last week.

"I want to make this very clear we did not meet or negotiate with individuals from loyalist groupings or involve them in our policing decision making," ACC Todd said.

A bonfire constructed in the grounds of Avoniel Leisure Centre became the centre of attention last week when Belfast City Council made moves to remove the pyre from its land. This attempt was abandoned when graffiti appeared on walls in the area, threatening named contractors who had been hired to remove the bonfire.

The PSNI did not rule out the fact that officers met with various bonfire builders on the ground in the run up to 11 July, but said claims this was a formal "meeting or engagement" are "completely inaccurate".

ACC Todd continued: "During a police security check of the Avoniel site following reports of a device being left there, some community members approached police and officers explained they were on site for safety reasons.

"There has been reference by media today that police were negotiating with senior loyalists regarding the policing operation. This is simply not the case and no meeting took place.

"The PSNI is committed to tackling organised crime gangs and paramilitaries and the East Belfast UVF remains a key focus for investigation.

"In relation to the graffiti, the PSNI also liaised with the property owners and with Belfast City Council in an attempt to support them removing the offending graffiti -  which has now been done. The removal of graffiti is the responsibility of the property owner assisted by any other relevant agency. 

"A thorough police investigation is now under way to identify those responsible and seek to bring them before the courts."

The statement follows comments from Sinn Fein Policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly, urging police to "crack down on the UVF with all its powers".

The north Belfast MLA said: "The East Belfast UVF were heavily involved in the Avoniel bonfire. It is a crime gang involved in everything from drug-dealing, racketeering, sexual assault and murder so it is not some kind of cultural or community organisation. It needs to be put out of business and the new PSNI Chief Constable vowed to do precisely that when he came into the job.

"Simon Byrne was clear that the UVF would not be tolerated and that the PSNI would go after them with all of their powers.

"Those words need to be followed by action because the East Belfast UVF is a scourge on communities. People don't want to see the PSNI sitting down and doing meetings with the UVF, they want to see them taken off the streets and put before the courts."



(JG/CM)