LVF wants terror ban at Stormont

The crisis of unionist confidence in the peace process will only be addressed by excluding terrorists from the Executive and ending Irish Government involvement in any deals, the LVF has said.
 
The leadership of the loyalist terror group has issued another political assessment, following interviews with the NewsLetter earlier this year and on the back of on-going talks with the government.
 
Sources refuted recent newspaper reports that a 70-strong LVF faction from mid-Ulster had defected to join Johnny Adairs UFF `C` Company.
 
While admitting there had been an "internal debate" over operational matters, they said issues were being addressed and there were no moves taking place.
 
The group said anyone with paramilitary links should not be allowed to stand in next May`s scheduled Assembly elections.
 
Candidates should have to publicly declare they have no paramilitary connections and their claims should be scrutinised, the LVF said.

This would be a means of seperating terrorists and political groups and leaving the process to those soley committed to democracy.

"Until the Assembly is totally devoid of paramilitary links, local politics will continue to be undemocratic," the statement said.

An LVF spokesman again emphasised the group will not form a political party for this reason - because law-abiding people could not have faith in paramilitary politicians.

The group said the number of MLA`s in each Assembly constituency should be reduced from six to four because 108 MLA`s is excessive in proportion to the size of population.

Supporting devolved government and power-sharing, the group said an agreement must not have the input of the Dublin government nor need constant propping up by UK Government.

Claiming that the majority of unionists now appear to be against the peace DEAL, the LVF said: "People are now adopting our groups long held views and politics on this."

Turning to republican violence, the LVF said it believed trouble would continue and splits would appear within the republican movement.

It added that IRA members were confused by the signals coming from its leadership but that, while the ceasefire was being broken, the NIO (Northern Ireland Office) was happy that policeman and soldiers were not being killed and would turn a blind eye where necessary.

END.

LVF = Loyalist Volunteer Force a renegade splinter group of the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) largely based in the Mid-Ulster area.  Its infamous leader Billy Wright was murdered in a top security jail by the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army).  It has forged strong links with the UDA (Ulster Defence Association) and in particular Johnny "Mad Dog" Adairs "C Company" of the UFF/UDA (Ulster Freedom Fighters. There have also been reports of links to neo-nazi groups like Combat 18 on mainland Britain.

They are the only main loyalist terror group not to be included in the new Loyalist Commission which includes leaders of paramilatary groups, church leaders and unionist politicians.  Rumoured to be merging/linking with the UDA and coming under control of the UDA leadership with an LVF seat on the UDAs ruling council. Particularly as Johnny Adairs "C Company" are now the powerhouse of the UDA.