UDA and UVF ‘committed to ceasefire’ – Villiers
Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has said the Government believes the main loyalist paramilitary outfits are still committed to their ceasefires – despite linked individuals being involved in “serious criminality”.
Ms Villiers was updating Parliament on the security situation in Northern Ireland.
She said: “As in previous reporting periods, there are individuals associated with loyalist paramilitary groups that are involved in serious criminality.
“However, overall, we continue to assess that the collective leaderships of the principal loyalist paramilitary groups, the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Volunteer Force, remain committed to their ceasefires.”
Ms Villiers added that in-fighting between loyalist organisations has “persisted” in recent months and remains “a concern for the wider community”.
Meanwhile, the secretary of state went on to cover the situation with republican inmates at Maghaberry prison.
Earlier this month a protest took place at Roe House.
“Dissident republican prisoners in Maghaberry continue to threaten, and to try to intimidate, staff and contractors as they seek to carry out their work,” continued Ms Villiers.
“This Government fully supports the Department of Justice and the Northern Ireland Prison Service as they respond to this wholly unacceptable activity and I pay tribute to all prison officers for the difficult job that they carry out.”
Theresa Villiers said there were 22 national security attacks in 2014 and one so far in 2015, with prison, police and Army officers among the main targets.
The overall security threat in NI remains as ‘severe’.
