A leading Co Armagh loyalist accused of conspiracy to murder told police officers he was only being charged because of political reasons.
Mr Mark Fulton, 41, from Portadown was arrested on Monday by police officers investigating the murder of Lurgan solicitor, Mrs Rosemary Nelson in March 1999.
He appeared today at Craigavon Magistrates Court on a charge unrelated to the Nelson murder.
He was accused of conspiring to murder Rodney James Jennett, sometime between April 1st and May 11th this year.
"Most definitely not guilty. I'm being charged purely for political reasons and political reasons only," the court heard the accused replied when charged.
He was remanded in custody to until December 13th and legal aid was granted for a High Court bail application. Mr Fulton is a former close associated of assassinated Loyalist Volunteer Force leader, Billy Wright, who shot dead by the INLA inside the top security Maze prison in December 1997.