Loyalist group holds fresh talks on disarmament with de Chastelain

THE Ulster Defence Association has held new talks with disarmament chief General John de Chastelain, the British Government revealed last night.

Northern Secretary Paul Murphy also confirmed Chief Constable Hugh Orde advised him before he declared the loyalist paramilitary organisation to be on a genuine ceasefire.

Mr Murphy’s move to strengthen the peace process shocked nationalists, who dismissed UDA pledges to end all sectarian violence.

The scepticism deepened after the group was blamed for attacking a nationalist councillor’s home in Larne, Co Antrim. SDLP representative Danny O’Connor fired four shots in the air fearing a gang was planning to pipe bomb the house.

But Mr Murphy insisted ceasefire watchdogs have shown UDA attacks are diminishing.

In a House of Commons statement he said: “it is clear, between the first and second (Independent Monitoring Commission) reports, that there has been a reduction in UDA activity.

“Other material provided to me would endorse that view.”

Mr Murphy’s explanation came a day after the UDA announced it would stop the shootings, beatings and drug-dealing that has left its reputation in tatters.

Promises to work towards a day when the terrorist organisation was no longer needed, eradicate all paramilitary operations and focus on community development were encouraging, said Mr Murphy. He added: “there is a confirmation that they will re-engage with the Decommissioning Commission, and I understand that has already begun.”

Loyalist sources confirmed UDA brigadiers met with General de Chastelain earlier this month in Belfast. Even though the organisation has warned it will not destroy any guns until the IRA ditches its weapons first, further talks have already been scheduled with the disarmament body.

Mr Murphy told the Commons it was time to put the loyalists to the test.

“The government agrees with the Ulster Political Research Group (UDA advisers) when it says the loyalist community’s enemies are issues such as poverty, social deprivation, drugs and crime, and we will work with them to tackle those problems.

“The other issue is to end paramilitarism, and we will be discussing with them how this is to be achieved.”