Adair 'will be force for good'

Feared loyalist paramilitary chief Johnny Adair, who is due to be freed from jail tomorrow, will be a force for good, it was claimed today.

As politicians and community leaders on all sides were urged to help quell worsening tensions at some of Belfast’s sectarian interfaces, one of Adair’s closest associates said there was nothing to fear from his release.

John White, former chairman of the disbanded Ulster Democratic Party, insisted the Ulster Freedom Fighters boss can make a major contribution towards restoring order on the streets.

He said: ‘‘Nationalism needs to get the message that Johnny Adair will be a force for good.

‘‘Nationalists and Catholics have nothing to fear from him.’’

Adair, from Belfast’s lower Shankill area, is set to be released from Maghaberry Prison near Lisburn, Co Antrim, after serving out his sentence for directing terrorism.

He was sent back to jail by former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson in the summer of 2000 at the height of a vicious loyalist shooting war in Belfast which left several men dead.

Up to 200 supporters are expected to be at the prison gates to greet Adair tomorrow.

His release comes as sectarian rioting in north Belfast has spread to other parts of the city.

Today Sinn Féin claimed nationalists were prevented from reaching a post office in east Belfast.

The Government plans to install 18 closed circuit television cameras before the end of next month in flashpoint areas in a bid to identify the troublemakers.

North Belfast Democratic Unionist MP Nigel Dodds, who had talks today with Northern Ireland security minister Jane Kennedy, said he hoped Adair’s role would have a positive impact.

He said: ‘‘I think that the situation is very, very volatile and tense. Every effort must be made to defuse and calm the situation but something can erupt quickly and we have to be prepared for that.’’

Despite assurances that Adair will distance himself from sectarian fighting, security sources today expressed deep concerns over his release.

‘‘It’s hard to imagine him fading into the background,’’ one said.

Alban Maginness, a north Belfast Assembly member with the nationalist SDLP, also challenged the UFF man to keep his word.

‘‘I hope that his promise to behave responsibly and not to involve himself will be honoured,’’ he said.

‘‘Hopefully the present situation in north Belfast is not in any way exacerbated by his release.’’

But Mr White claimed Adair’s first priority will be to spend time with his wife Gina and their four children.

‘‘He wants to rekindle his relationship with his family before assessing his role as an influential figure within loyalism.’’