UDA's 'spokesmen vendetta'

Gary McMichael is the former Ulster Democratic Party leader

Members of the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association are involved in a vendetta against their former political spokesmen Gary McMichael and Davy Adams, it has been claimed.

It emerged on Monday that Mr Adams' home at Maze, near Lisburn, was attacked last week.

It is understood that security equipment was damaged, including a camera and intercom.

Sources have linked the UDA to the incident, which happened in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Elements in the UDA are understood to oppose Mr Adams' membership of the Lisburn District Policing Partnership.

It is also understood that the paramilitary group refused the former councillor permission to appear as the guest speaker at the Progressive Unionist Party conference in Belfast at the weekend.

We certainly will be asking what is going on and why are they being allowed to be terrorised David Ervine Progressive Unionist Party

Mr Adams was once a member of the rival loyalist party, the Ulster Democratic Party, which folded in November 2001.

News has also emerged of threats to a drugs awareness project in Lisburn managed by the former UDP leader Gary McMichael.

Elements of the UDA are being blamed.

BBC Northern Ireland security editor Brian Rowan said one source had accused UDA members of being involved in a vendetta against their former political spokesmen.

The two men have declined to comment about the incidents.

The UDA in Lisburn described the situation as "an internal matter".

It accused both men of using the organisation to further their careers and "social standing".

Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine has called on the Loyalist Commission, which includes representatives of the three main paramilitary groups - the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the Red Hand Commando - as well as a number of Protestant churchmen and community leaders, to condemn the attack.

"We certainly will be asking what is going on and why are they being allowed to be terrorised," Mr Ervine said.

"One would hope that would encourage people to have a more appreciative stance on the sacrifices that people like David Adams and Gary McMichael have made and, subsequently, to leave them alone."