Politicians condemn murder of former UDA man Jim Gray

Politicians from across the sectarian divide in the North have condemned the murder of former UDA ‘brigadier’ Jim Gray in east Belfast last night.

The flamboyant 47-year-old paramilitary was shot dead outside his home in the Clarawood estate by two gunmen who called to his front door.

Gray, who was deeply involved in drug dealing and extortion, was expelled from the UDA earlier this year and is believed to have made many enemies among his former paramilitary colleagues.

DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said today that there was no excuse for his murder, while Ulster Unionist council Jim Rodgers called for no retaliation.

SDLP Assemblyman Alex Atwood also said he hoped the murder would not spark another escalation in loyalist violence, while Sinn Féin president blamed the killing on a political vacuum caused by the suspension of devolved government.