Bungled attempt at UDA coup leads to loyalist street tensions
Leading loyalist Jim Simpson, known as “the Bacardi Brigadier”, is believed to have fled to Scotland after he failed to overthrow the leadership of the Ulster Defence Association in north Belfast.
Security sources revealed yesterday that several loyalists had taken part in the coup under the mistaken belief that it was sanctioned by the UDA leadership.
The source confirmed: “There was an attempt in north Belfast by several senior people to reassert their control but the main body of the UDA did not follow behind them.
“Some people believed this had been sanctioned by the UDA leadership but it hadn’t been.
“Some of those involved were surprised to learn that it hadn’t and have since apologised to the UDA leadership.
“UDA leaders appear to be quite confident that the people who left north Belfast will not return but nevertheless the situation is very tense and will remain so until the situation is resolved,” the source said.
Jim Simpson was removed as the brigadier of the UDA in north Belfast last year. Jailed loyalist Andre Shoukri is believed to have taken over, with another loyalist running north Belfast on the outside while he remains in prison.
Several houses and business premises were attacked in the Ballysillan and Glenbryn districts of north Belfast during the coup.
A loyalist source who witnessed the violence said: “All hell broke loose and they tried to trap people in their homes.
“But we were able to get them released and those behind the coup have now learned it was a senseless step to take,” the source said.
A Democratic Unionist MP claimed the situation was the last thing his constituency in north Belfast needed.
Nigel Dodds urged people living in loyalist communities not to get caught up in the feuding.
The former Stormont social development minister said: “It comes as very bad news indeed for people across the province and in north Belfast which has suffered its fair share of this type of internecine feuding.”
