Jailed Adair to argue for release

Leading loyalist Johnny Adair was today granted the right to argue for a judicial review of a decision to keep him in prison.

Mr Justice Kerr said the convicted Ulster Freedom Fighters leader had an arguable case to apply at Belfast High Court for a judicial review of the Sentence Review Commission’s decision in January to keep him behind bars.

Mr Adair was forced to return to prison in August after a bitter feud erupted in the loyalist Shankill Road area of Belfast between UFF supporters and the rival Ulster Volunteer Force.

The then Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson revoked Mr Adair’s early release under the Good Friday Agreement at the height of the feud.

He is being held at Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn in Co Antrim.

In January, the Sentence Review Commission changed a previous preliminary decision that Adair, 37, should be freed on licence after fresh security evidence was presented to them.

Mr Adair’s lawyers argue that the Sentence Review Commission’s decision contravenes European human rights legislation.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has also expressed concern about the manner in which the sentence review was conducted.

Mr Justice Kerr’s ruling was welcomed by the chairman of the Ulster Democratic Party, John White.

Mr White said: "I am very hopeful that having listened to the evidence the judge has decided that there is a case to be argued for challenging the Sentence Review Commission’s decision.

"The continued imprisonment of Mr Adair raises a number of questions not least about the incompatability of the Sentence Review Commission’s verdict with European human rights legislation.

"This case has implications for the whole system of justice. So I would regard this as a significant step forward."