UDA move to isolate Adair leadership

In a statement today, the UDA in Belfast have moved to isolate notorious loyalist Johnny Adair and the current chiefs of the organisation's C Company, saying that it no longer recognises their leadership.

This is the loyalist paramilitary group's first official utterance since the murder of its south-east Antrim head John 'Grugg' Gregg at the weekend. It is widely believed that Gregg's murder was carried out by gunmen linked to Adair's C Company.

The UDA statement read: "The officers and volunteers of A, B and D companies, west Belfast UDA, after membership debate have voted not to recognise the current leadership of C Company in west Belfast.

"This decision does not reflect upon the rank and file members of C Company who have been the backbone of this brigade over the past 30 years."

The feud within the UDA began last September when Adair – who was one of six men on the group's ruling council – was expelled from the organisation. It had been perceived that Adair was planning to expand his influence out from his lower Shankill power-base and so the UDA moved against him.

Gregg was also a member of that ruling circle and his death is expected to result in further retaliatory attacks against C Company's leadership.

There is also mounting speculation that the Loyalist Volunteer Force – which Adair had been associating more closely with in recent months – will also issue a statement distancing itself from the lower Shankill-based C Company.

The feud has so far claimed the lives of four people and today it was reported that Adair's wife has been informed by police that a threat has been made against her life.

Adair himself was returned to Maghaberry prison on January 10 after the Secretary of State ruled that he had breached the terms of his licence.

(GMcG)