Johnny Adair due in court for Christmas parole appeal

Former UDA commander Johnny Adair is today set to appeal the British government’s decision to refuse him Christmas parole.

Northern Secretary John Reid decided to keep Adair in Maghaberry Prison over Christmas and the New Year for fear that his release could heighten tensions in Belfast.

The notorious loyalist paramilitary, leader of the UDA’s infamous C Company on the Shankill Road, was originally released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement in September 1999.

But his licence was revoked in August 2000 after police said he was involved in a bitter loyalist feud which left seven men dead.