PUP accuses Britain of trying to put it out of business

The Progressive Unionist Party has accused the British government of trying to put it out of business by fining the party due to ongoing UVF activity.

The UVF has killed four people over the past two years, two of them within the last month as part of a feud with the rival LVF.

The PUP, as the political wing of the loyalist paramilitary group, is set to have its Northern Assembly allowances withheld for another year due to continued violence.

However, party leader David Ervine has argued that this should not happen as the leadership of the PUP and UVF do not overlap.

"If I have broken any laws or rules, I would like to be arrested and charged now," he said yesterday.