The early release of a new wave of loyalist prisoners under the Good Friday Agreement has contributed towards bringing new tensions between the mainstream loyalist groups onto the streets. Convicted UFF commander Johnny Adair was in close contact with members of the LVF in Portadown during this July's Drumcree marching dispute. The shooting dead of two men outside a north Belfast bookmakers in broad daylight on Monday, one of whom was Jackie Coulter, a prominent member of the UDA, has signalled that the developing feud is threatening to escalate. Mr Magee has again offered his services, but he has said he is not hopeful that anything can be done to calm tensions while the current campaign of attacks carries on. But the loyalist paramilitaries know that if I can assist the situation and prevent the killing of people I'd be glad to.
Sanity needs to be brought to bear on the prevailing situation.
All the leaders of the loyalist organisations need to call a halt forthwith to whatever campaign is taking place and they need to leave space for each other. However, it is unclear, with deep divisions between the members of the CLMC and the political parties they are linked to, whether even Roy Magee, with nearly 30 years of experience talking to the loyalist paramilitaries, would be an acceptable go-between.