Empey's loyalist move 'will work'

David Ervine joined the Ulster Unionist group at the NI assembly

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey's initiative to reach out to loyalists will produce results, PUP leader David Ervine has predicted.

The UVF is refusing to give its response to the IRA's decision to end its armed campaign until after the deadline for devolution of 24 November.

However, Mr Ervine, whose party is linked to the UVF, insisted that the UUP initiative should prove positive.

"It will work, if Reg Empey can be left alone to do the job," he said.

"I am convinced that Reg Empey and me and others will get results, but I genuinely beg, for the sake of our community, to give us a chance," he said.

The Ulster Unionists have come under political pressure after allowing Mr Ervine to join their assembly group, a move which would give the UUP an extra ministerial seat at Sinn Fein's expense if a power-sharing executive is formed.

Sylvia Hermon, the party's only MP, had said the move caused her "great distress", but added that it could prove to be worthwhile if it helped to deliver UVF decommissioning.

Sir Reg insisted they had done the right thing, saying the long-term goal was to end loyalist paramilitarism.