Adair to remain in prison

The Sentence Review Commission has ruled UDA leader Johnny Adair must remain in prison.

The Commission reversed its preliminary ruling following testimony from senior police officers and others that Adair had broken the terms of his early release.

The North is bracing itself for street protests and violence from Adair's supporters after today’s ruling.

Adair's lawyer will appeal for a judicial review of the Commission's ruling, but in the meantime he will remain behind bars in Maghaberry jail, possibly until his sentence expires in May next year.

He had been sentenced to 16 years for directing terrorism but was given early release after the Good Friday Agreement and the UDA ceasefire.

Confidential police reports linked him last summer to guns, drugs and paramilitary activities with senior police officers advising he would be a seriously destabilising influence if released.

His supporters had promised street protests if he was not released and Belfast now awaits to see where and when they will occur.