'Persuasion best strategy with paramilitaries': Empey

Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey today vowed to stick with his strategy of persuading loyalist paramilitaries to abandon violence, despite criticism from a senior colleague.

The East Belfast Assembly member acknowledged the concerns of the Ulster Unionists' sole MP Lady Sylvia Hermon about his decision to link up with Progressive Unionist leader David Ervine in the Assembly in the wake of allegations that the Ulster Volunteer Force shot loyalist Mark Haddock last week.