Johnny Adair to contest Assembly elections

Johnny Adair, the leader of the notorious UFF ‘C’ company, is “almost certain” to stand for election to the Northern Assembly next May, according to loyalist sources.

The 38-year-old paramilitary, nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’, was only released from prison three months ago after serving a six-year sentence for directing terrorism.

Adair was released early under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, but was sent back to jail two years ago after police said he was involved in a bloody inter-loyalist feud.

He recently participated in talks with Northern Secretary John Reid on sectarian violence in Belfast.

The subsequent murder of Gerard Lawlor just over a week ago was linked forensically to his UDA power-base on the Lower Shankill Road.