Empey rejects MP's loyalist worry

Sylvia Hermon is the Ulster Unionists' only MP

UUP leader Sir Reg Empey has refused to sever the party's assembly team's links with PUP leader David Ervine.

Sylvia Hermon, the party's only MP, had called for the link to be severed because of ongoing activity by the UVF, to which the PUP is connected.

Lady Hermon warned the party had become "a hostage to fortune".

Sir Reg said he "acknowledged and respected" Lady Hermon's views, but added that he and others were "not prepared to walk away" from the deal.

Lady Hermon said in an interview with the News Letter that she was unhappy both about the UVF's refusal to disarm before autumn and the shooting of loyalist Mark Haddock, blamed on the paramilitaries.

The Ulster Unionists have come under widespread pressure after allowing Mr Ervine to join their assembly group.

The problem of loyalist paramilitaries has evolved over 35 years and this exercise cannot be completed in the space of three weeks Sir Reg Empey Ulster Unionist leader

The move would give them an extra ministerial seat at Sinn Fein's expense if a power-sharing executive is formed.

At the time of the deal, Lady Hermon said the move caused her "great distress", but added that it could prove to be worthwhile if it helped to deliver UVF decommissioning.

However, she said in her interview published on Friday that rather than any progress being made towards decommissioning, the UVF has restated it will not make any arms move before the government's 24 November deadline for the restoration of devolution.

In response, Sir Reg said in a statement on Friday that Lady Hermon's views were "well-known throughout the party".

"The problem of loyalist paramilitaries has evolved over 35 years and this exercise cannot be completed in the space of three weeks - there is progress to be made," he said.

"Having said that, we will know relatively quickly whether those with whom we are engaged with are being disingenuous.

"If they are, then naturally the position will have to be re-assessed and I will not hesitate to do so. This is not an unconditional arrangement."