Adair will be force for peace: Claim

Newly-released loyalist paramilitary chief Johnny Adair will be a force for peace, his spokesman said in a statement today.

Adair was released from Maghaberry Prison this morning.

Supporters gathered outside the jail near Lisburn, Co Antrim, and cheered him as he left.

Spokesperson for Mr Adair, John Whyte, said Adair wants to bring peace to this province.

"I believe that Johnny Adair will make a positive contribution to the peace process, that he will endeavour to bring calm to the province. I believe that he will bring peaceful resolution to many of the outstanding issues that are still causing difficulties within this province."

Adair is leader of the Ulster Defence Association's so-called "C company", which police sources claim was behind the murders of at least 20 Catholic civilians in the 1980s and early 1990s.