Jailed loyalist paramilitary Johnny Adair has been refused Christmas parole.
Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid took the decision to keep him in prison after consultations with security chiefs, who fear his release could heighten tensions in Belfast over the holiday period.
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Johnny Adair. Photograph: Reuters
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Adair, who launched a legal challenge to the decision to keep him behind bars, had been hoping to be freed from Maghaberry prison tomorrow.
He had been released early from prison in September 1999 as part of the Belfast Agreement but was sent back in August last year at the height of a loyalist feud which claimed the lives of seven men in Belfast.
In Belfast's High Court earlier today Mr Justice Kerr said he was "minded" to grant the move following arguments by Adair's lawyers that no reason had been given for rejecting his previous parole request.
However, the judge adjourned the hearing until tomorrow fearing any ruling could be overtaken by Dr Reid's decision.
Former Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Peter Mandelson ordered the Adair to be locked up after a security assessment deemed he had breached his early release conditions.
But when a parole request earlier this year was rejected Adair, commander of the UFF's notorious C Company based in the Lower Shankill, launched a legal challenge.
He must now wait to hear the outcome of his application for a judicial review on the decision to deny him home leave.
Mr John White, the former chairman of the Ulster Democratic Party and a close associate of Adair's, predicted the decision will cause anger within the loyalist community.
"We have republicans given amnesty and yet here's a man who has an opportunity to spend time with his wife and four children and he's been detained," he said. "It's going down very badly within my community."
But Mr Alban Maginness, SDLP MLA for North Belfast, insisted it would have been "utter madness" to release Adair.
"I believe he has a very influential position within the UFF," he added.