Former UVF godfather Gusty Spence dies

FORMER Ulster Volunteer Force leader Gusty Spence has died, aged 78.

Spence was convicted of murder in the 1960s but later renounced violence and announced the 1994 Combined Loyalist Military Command ceasefire.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment after his gang shot dead a Catholic barman and wounded two others as they left a pub in Belfast in 1966. He served 18 years.

He became heavily involved in politics and was a key figure in the Progressive Unionist Party.

On May 3, 2007, he read out the statement by the UVF announcing it would keep its arms, but put them beyond the reach of ordinary members.

Spence died in hospital in Belfast after being admitted 12 days ago.

In May 1966, the UVF issued a statement declaring war on the IRA. While republicans were the target, the attacks were sectarian.

Spence was held over the murder of the first victim of the Troubles, John Scullion, 28, who was shot by the UVF in the Falls Road area of Belfast. The charges were dropped but later in 1966 he was given life for the murder of Peter Ward, 18, who had called in to a Shankill Road pub with Catholic workmates and was shot as he left. Spence’s conviction for murder, which he always denied, has been referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission by his family in light of new evidence.

Commenting on the death of Gusty Spence, Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said: “Gusty Spence was a well known and influential figure with the UVF and many nationalists will remember him as central to the sectarianism that gave birth to the modern loyalist paramilitary.

“However, he did dedicate himself to peace and reconciliation for much of his later life so he will also be remembered as a major influence in drawing loyalism away from sectarian strife. On behalf of Sinn Féin I would wish to extend my condolences to his family at this time.”