Reid to review UDA ceasefire

Northern Secretary John Reid has announced that he and his advisors will review the state of the UDA ceasefire following yesterday’s bomb attack on Catholic schoolgirls in north Belfast.

Dr Reid said there is increasing evidence that elements of the UDA are involved in the ongoing campaign of terror against Catholic civilians and they must face the consequences of those actions.

If Dr Reid finds that the loyalist organisation has breached its ceasefire, he could declare the group illegal and have all its members re-arrested and jailed.

The Red Hand Defenders claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack, but most observers believe the UDA is merely using this title as a flag of convenience.

All UDA prisoners were released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement after the organisation declared a ceasefire, but two of its leaders, Johnny Adair and Gary Smith, have already been re-imprisoned for continuing their involvement in violence.

Dr Reid said today: “If there is evidence that there is a systematic breach of the ceasefire, then I will take the necessary action.”