Loyalist ceasefire in north to be recognised

A LOYALIST ceasefire in the north is to be recognised, the Northern Ireland secretary said yesterday.

The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Red Hand Commando (RHC) will be de-specified, with any prisoners eligible for early release, Shaun Woodward added.

The British government ceased to recognise the UVF’s peace commitment in September 2005 following a feud.