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.