Hutchinson appeals to UDA for change of strategy

A loyalist Assembly member for North Belfast today appealed to the Ulster Defence Association to rethink their strategy.

Progressive Unionist MLA Billy Hutchinson, whose party is linked to the rival Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commandos, argued: ‘‘Loyalism needs to think about where it’s going and where one or two people can actually drive loyalism.

‘‘I want to appeal to those people who are in the UDA. I know there are parents in the UDA who have sons and daughters and there are grandparents who were involved in the UDA a long time ago. I am sure none of them would want to see loyalism dragged back to where it was in the early Seventies.

‘‘I think they really need to think it out because there is an opportunity here for all of us to move forward, but there is also an opportunity for us all to be dragged backwards.’’

The North Belfast MLA was speaking as unionist and nationalist leaders of Northern Ireland’s power-sharing executive prepared to meet postal workers and teachers’ representatives to discuss loyalist threats against them.

Mr Trimble and Mr Durkan were due to meet trade unionists after talks between Education Minister Martin McGuinness and teachers’ representatives.