Loyalists seek end to UUP conflict

Loyalists favour a "winner takes all" approach to UUP conflict

Private meetings have been taking place between some of Northern Ireland's most senior loyalist paramilitaries and prominent members of the Ulster Unionist Party.

After months of talking, one loyalist leader has told the BBC he favours a "winner takes all" outcome to the current struggle going on inside the Ulster Unionist Party.

This weekend, a meeting of the UUP's 900-strong ruling council is due to debate internal divisions and decide on any disciplinary action against three MPs who resigned the party whip at Westminster in protest at policies.

Attempts to suspend Martin Smyth, David Burnside and Jeffrey Donaldson from the UUP were dismissed by a High Court judge because it contravened party rules.

The UUP leader, David Trimble, has said the three rebel MPs were threatening to split the party.

It is understood the meetings with paramilitaries were started to take soundings from the loyalist community.

David Ervine wants an end to the infighting within the UUP

The leader of the Ulster Volunteer Force, who has been involved in the contacts, told the BBC that if there was to be another UUP showdown on policy and leadership, then all sides should agree to accept the outcome.

The leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, which is aligned to the UVF, knows of the continuing meetings.

"The UVF leadership is saying as loudly as it can: 'When you sort yourselves out, honour the democratic outcome and stop this constant running back and forward," said David Ervine.

The former north Belfast UUP Assemblyman Fred Cobain is one of the unionists still in contact with the paramilitaries.

He said he was reminding them in the dialogue of their responsibilities on decommissioning and on bringing about an end to paramilitary activity.

"If this process is going to go forward, you need a party to carry it," said Mr Cobain.

"The only party that is going to carry the process further is the Ulster Unionist Party - it certainly isn't going to be the DUP and I think they (the loyalist groups) are well aware of that."

Another leading UUP member who has been talking to the loyalists is David Trimble's adviser, David McNarry.

It is understood that party members will have further talks with paramilitary leaders in both the UVF and the Ulster Defence Association after Saturday's meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council.