Loyalist parties in Northern Ireland are divided on whether they should stay in the peace talks or attend special discussions next week.

The sessions will be held by the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo Mowlam, in the wake of recent killings.

The Ulster Democratic Party says it will meet Dr Mowlam on Monday and return to the multi-party talks when they resume on January 12.

But Billy Hutchinson of the Progressive Unionist Party does not want to meet Dr Mowlam next week or return to the talks.

With the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists and the UK Unionist Party already out of the talks, the Government must keep at least one of the loyalist groups involved to give them any chance of success.

There has to be one other loyalist party present with the main Ulster Unionist Party to provide the unionist side of the consensus which is required for any agreement.

Gary McMichael, leader of the UDP, told BBC Radio Ulster: "We are meeting the Secretary of State on Monday and I think it is important that we look at the very serious situation and the environment we find ourselves in, and see if we can search for answers as to how we can put the peace process back on the rails."

Hutchinson: "We should withdraw from the peace process immediately"

But Billy Hutchinson said on the same programme: "I don't want to meet the Secretary of State on Monday. We should withdraw from the process completely."

He said that aside from the three murders of the past week, the talks process had already been in trouble. He accused the British and Irish governments of being patronising towards loyalists.

"I don't think we can go any further until the British and Irish governments recognise the need to do something for the unionist/loyalist community which is on its knees."

Mr McMichael agreed the province was "on a knife edge" but he explained his reasons for remaining with the talks process.

"I think we are in a serious situation with dark days ahead. Let's focus on trying to rebuild the situation and try to deny those who are opposed to this process the ability to bring it to its knees."

Victim's relatives appeal for calm

Meanwhile the family of a Catholic man shot dead by loyalists in a crowded north Belfast pub on New Year's Eve have appealed for there to be no retaliation.

Relatives of Eddie Treanor said they did not want any other family to suffer the same terrible pain they are going through.

Mr Treanor, 31, was having a drink with his girlfriend in the Clifton Tavern when two gunmen opened fire on revellers. Five others were injured.

Mr Treanor will be buried on Monday.
 

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