Shoukri trial judge steps down

Ihab Shoukri allegedly wrote the speech

A judge has stepped down from a terrorist trial involving six alleged loyalist paramilitary supporters.

Mr Justice Gillen aborted the case and ordered a retrial at Belfast Crown Court.

He said case papers given to him contained certain details "which may be adverse" to some of the accused.

High profile loyalist Ihab Shoukri faces charges of UDA membership, including assisting, arranging, or managing a meeting of the terror group.

At Tuesday's hearing, Mr Justice Gillen said he was stepping down "in the interests of justice". He ordered the retrial to begin on Monday.

He said he had not read any of the material in question, but decided "the interests of justice require me to recuse myself", and therefore he could not hear any further evidence in the case.

Mr Justice Gillen added that justice should not only be done in a case, but also be seen to be done.

The six men on trial were arrested in what the prosecution claim was a dress rehearsal for a UDA show of strength at the Alexander Bar on Belfast's York Street, when it was stormed by police in March 2006.

A speech to have been allegedly given in the bar pledged it would never disband.

The speech, allegedly in the handwriting of 34-year-old Mr Shoukri, declared while the UDA "must now take our fight into the political arena - it's not the end of the UDA which is here to stay".

It was found in the pocket of one of five men arrested alongside Mr Shoukri, from Westland Drive in the north of the city.