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.

In a statement to the House of Commons on Monday, Mr Murphy said that the move to "despecify" the UDA had been taken "cautiously" and "prudently".

“I have taken advice from the Chief Constable and others and, as I am obliged to do under the terms of the Northern Ireland Sentences Act 1998, I have reviewed the status of all specified and other paramilitary organisations,” Mr Murphy said. “It is my judgement, made in the round and having regard to the Act and other relevant issues that the UDA ceasefire is now holding and is genuine.

“I am persuaded by the advice I have received that it is appropriate to despecify the organisation. I have taken this decision cautiously and prudently, considering the full consequences of my actions, and the effect on others, particularly victims. I am only too conscious of the impact on victims of violence and the terrible consequences of both sectarianism and feuding within communities.

“I would reassure victims that this Government has not forgotten their suffering and that we will continue to support and work with them.”

The government's recognition of the ceasefire followed a statement by the loyalist paramilitary group on Sunday which said it was committing itself to working towards the end of all paramilitary activity.

Tommy Kirkham of the Ulster Political Research Group, which provides political analysis for the UDA, read out a statement on Sunday on behalf of the paramilitary group saying it would cease all violent activity from Sunday onwards.

However, the immediate response to the news from nationalist and republican community representatives was a cautious one.

Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey said he welcomed the move but understood why many would be sceptical about it while SDLP assembly member Alban Maginness said the UDA must be judged on actions rather than words.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble also gave a cautious welcome to the UDA’s announcement while the DUP MLA for West Belfast Diane Dodds said ordinary people on the streets were looking “beyond the statements” and were wanting “proof positive that all of these activities are a thing of the past”.

Concluding his statement yesterday, Mr Murphy added that the UDA remained a "proscribed" organisation and any illegal activity by it would be pursued “relentlessly” by the police.

(MB/SP)