Death of David Ervine - Vacuum in loyalism will be hard to fill

THE passing of David Ervine, leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, leaves a vacuum in loyalist politics that will be hard to fill.

Amid the discord of the North, his voice was articulate, logical and unambiguous.

While his own political clout was somewhat limited, he is generally acknowledged as a key figure in persuading loyalist paramilitaries to move away from violence. The 53-year-old Assembly member and Belfast city councillor had a significant role in bringing extreme loyalism in from the cold.

As a former paramilitary, his influence was significant. A member of the UVF, he was imprisoned in Long Kesh for bomb offences, but later renounced violence. Besides helping to broker the loyalist ceasefire, he was involved in talks that led to the Good Friday agreement.

Through cross-Border contacts, David Ervine worked tirelessly to inform people in the Republic about loyalist traditions.

His voice will be missed.