PUP to end contact with Monitoring Commission

The Progressive Unionist Party has announced its intention to sever all contacts with the body set up to monitor paramilitary ceasefires in the North.

The party is currently facing financial penalties from the British government due to alleged ongoing activity by the Ulster Volunteer Force that were highlighted by the Independent Monitoring Commission.

The PUP, which has links with the UVF, said the Commission ignored actions taken by the paramilitary group to end racist attacks by its members and the disbanding of a unit accused of murder.