Adair decision expected today

A decision on the jailed Ulster loyalist Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair's bid to be freed is expected to be made later today.

The Northern Ireland Sentence Review Commission is considering arguments from the government and security chiefs who want to keep the Ulster Freedom Fighters' commander behind bars.

Adair's close associate, Ulster Democratic Party chairman John White, is remaining upbeat that the three commissioners will find in his favour, saying: "Based on the evidence that was presented to them while Johnny was there with his barristers I would be confident."

His optimism has been tempered by uncertainty over confidential security submissions which Adair was not allowed to remain present for.

Lawyers for Adair gave no evidence during a two-day hearing at Maghaberry jail near Lisburn, Co Antrim, last week, where the Belfast man has been held since Secretary of State Peter Mandelson revoked his early release at the height of last year's loyalist violence.

They decided not to make any submissions because the commission had already reached a preliminary finding that the UFF man should be freed, believing it was up to the Northern Ireland Office to challenge the ruling.

Royal Ulster Constabulary chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and a number of senior police officers, including at least two members of the force's Special Branch, have all urged the three-man commission not to allow Adair back on the streets.

He was released from the Maze prison in September 1999 having served just five years of a 16-year sentence for directing terrorism.

But after a tense summer in Northern Ireland erupted into the bloody loyalist feud which has claimed seven lives, Adair was re-arrested and sent back to jail last August.