Loyalist meeting 'positive' - Orde

Loyalist meeting 'positive' - Orde

Mr Orde said several ssues were discussed, including crime and drugs

The PSNI chief constable has described his meeting with a loyalist lobby group as "very positive".

Hugh Orde met a nine-member delegation from the Loyalist Commission for about an hour at police headquarters in Belfast on Thursday.

The Loyalist Commission includes members of the three loyalist paramilitary groups - the Ulster Volunteer Force, Red Hand Commando and the Ulster Defence Association.

It was set up to provide political analysis for the paramilitary groups.

We were able to advise him on issues affecting loyalist communities, and he was able to discuss some matters with us, which we found very useful

Reverend Mervyn Gibson
Loyalist Commission chairman

Mr Orde said a number of issues were discussed at the ''very helpful'' meeting, including crime and drugs.

He said he was delighted that the commission had made the point that criminal behaviour must be tackled, and said he looked forward to further meetings in the future.

The delegation included councillors Frankie Gallagher and Tommy Kirkham.

Loyalist Commission chairman the Reverend Mervyn Gibson said the meeting was "very constructive".

"We were able to advise him on issues affecting loyalist communities, and he was able to discuss some matters with us, which we found very useful.

"We want to keep the content of the meeting private at this time, other than to say that it was a very constructive meeting," he said.