Cautious welcome to UDA ceasefire

The loyalists paramilitary group the Ulster Defence Association was tonight under pressure to prove it was genuine over its declaration of a 12-month ceasefire to boost the political process.

Loyalist politicians and the government welcomed a statement from the UDA and Ulster Freedom Fighters confirming they had begun a year-long period of ”military inactivity” and announcing plans to re-engage with the international decommissioning body.