UDA-linked fund scheme is halted

Margaret Ritchie spoke about the issue earlier this month

The Department of Social Development has served notice on the withdrawal of £1.2m from a UDA-linked conflict transformation scheme.

The notice of termination was sent to Farset, the independent organisation appointed to oversee the project.

The notice was issued on Tuesday, two weeks after DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie said the funding would end.

The delay was due to legal issues and disagreements within the Executive over how to proceed.

Mrs Ritchie set a deadline for the Ulster Defence Association to begin giving up guns after repeated violence linked to the loyalist group.

However, the UDA said it would adhere to its own timetable for getting rid of its weapons.

In a statement to the assembly earlier this month, Ms Ritchie said the actions of the UDA had meant the retention of the Conflict Transformation Initiative originally proposed by Peter Hain could not be justified.