Loyalist group warns off Irish Government

A loyalist group has threatened to review its position on the peace process if the Irish Government takes any greater role in the North's affairs.

It comes as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, prepares to meet the Northern Secretary at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down this afternoon.

The self-styled Ulster Political Research Group, which speaks for the UDA, says its support for the peace process will disappear if the Irish Government is given a greater say.

A spokesman said if there was to be an attempt over the next few months to have joint authority, loyalist paramilitaries would review their stand on what it called "the so-called peace process".

The UDA, however, has already withdrawn support for the Good Friday Agreement and its ceasefire was de-recognised by the British government last year.

The loyalist announcement comes as talks begin to find a way to rescue devolution. A British spokesman said: "The talks are going to cover policing and security matters as well as the north-south arrangements in the Agreement."

Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne and the North's Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, will also attend.