UDA expels flamboyant east Belfast ‘brigadier’ Gray

ULSTER Defence Association leader Jim Gray has been ousted by the paramilitary organisation, it was revealed yesterday.

Gray was one of six so-called brigadiers running Northern Ireland’s largest loyalist terror grouping.

The 43-year-old, who survived an assassination attempt two-and-a-half years ago, was in charge of the UDA’s East Belfast unit.

But a statement issued yesterday confirmed he had been deposed. It read: “As from 12.30pm, March 30, 2005, the Ulster Defence Association has stood down the current leadership of the East Belfast UDA until further notice.

“To dispel any confusion, the East Belfast UDA are now under the direct command of the Inner Council.”

Gray, a businessman with bleached blond hair, heavy gold jewellery and year-round tan, has been questioned several times by detectives in Belfast.

He is nicknamed ‘Doris Day’ because of his appearance.

He was once a close associate of feared terrorist Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair before they fell out during a bitter UDA power struggle. He was later shot in the face during a loyalist feud which claimed a number of lives.

In November, the North’s chief constable Hugh Orde had to make a £1,500 payout to him in an out-of-court settlement.

Gray took a High Court action against Mr Orde after he was arrested at a Chinese restaurant in east Belfast two years ago. His decision to sue centred around the handling by police of his arrest.

At the time, former associates described him as one of the most unpopular people in the North.

Loyalist sources said the move against him had been brewing for some time.

“Look at his character and how he carries on. It’s not going to be tolerated any more,” one source said.

Despite declaring it has been on ceasefire for two years, many remain sceptical about the UDA’s commitment to peace.

Nationalists and republicans insist the organisation, which murdered scores of Catholics at the height of the bloodshed in the North, remains nakedly sectarian.

Alex Attwood, a nationalist SDLP member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, claimed the paramilitaries needed to do more than topple one leader.

“What the community wants is for all the UDA to be stood down and for all of its membership and leadership to go away. Time will tell what this announcement will add up to but it is far short of what people want,” he said.