Man questioned on loyalist feud murder

Detectives were today questioning a man about a murder linked to feuding loyalist paramilitaries in Belfast.

Jonathan Stewart, 22, was shot dead at a party two days after Christmas last year during a bitter power struggle within the Ulster Defence Association which ultimately claimed five lives.

Police have confirmed a man was arrested yesterday in relation to serious crimes in the north Belfast area. Security sources disclosed he was being questioned about Jonathan Stewart’s killing.

The victim, who was the nephew of a well-known loyalist but not thought to be involved in any paramilitary organisation, was standing in the kitchen of a house in Manor Street when a masked assassin forced his way in and singled him out.

The killer pumped up to six rounds into Mr Stewart before fleeing.

The murder was linked to the feud which was raging inside the UDA, and both security and loyalist sources believe it was carried out by terrorists from jailed paramilitary boss Johnny Adair’s C company faction.