UDA warns of backlash

The UDA has warned of a backlash after the Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid declared the UDA ceasefire over today.

John White, chairman of the Ulster Democratic Party, the UDA’s political wing, said he feared the announcement could trigger violence by rank and file members of the organisations who stood by the truce.

He also called on Dr Reid to declare an end to the ceasefires of the IRA and other organisations.

Mr White said: ‘‘I am disappointed. It will not be helpful and will send a signal to the vast majority of UDA people who supported the peace process that their contribution is no longer recognised.

‘‘That might give them a licence to go out and do things they normally would not have done because of the restraints placed on them by that ceasefire.’’

He claimed the trouble in Belfast last night was caused by young people. It would be wrong to blame the UDA.

Mr White said: ‘‘It begs the question - what about the IRA and six other loyalist paramilitary groupings. Yet it is the UDA which gets blamed for everything. The IRA’s record leaves a lot to be desired as well.

‘‘The pressure will be on the Secretary of State to declare other paramilitary ceasefires in the same light.’’

With the Ulster Unionist Party’s three ministers due to resign from the power-sharing executive in Belfast next Wednesday and effectively forcing Dr Reid to suspend the Assembly, tonight’s announcement will heighten the pressure on all sides at Stormont to try to keep the peace process on track.

But with the IRA resisting heightening demands in London, Dublin and Washington to begin decommissioning their weapons, Northern Ireland was tonight moving towards a tense and difficult new era.

Security chiefs fear there could be new loyalist trouble, but it is clear that Dr Reid felt he had no choice but to act.

He said: ‘‘The struggle to rid Northern Ireland of terror and gangsterism will be a long one. It will involve everyone of us - not just the security forces - in rooting out and isolating those who cling to violence.

‘‘But the people of Northern Ireland are equal to that task. They long to see the end of the hoodlum sub-culture on their streets.’’

Dr Reid added: ‘‘Terrorism belongs to the past. The people of Northern Ireland are saying to the thugs, gangsters and self-appointed generals: We reject you. You do not speak for us. You represent nothing but darkness and hatred.’’