The Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, has refused to grant a Christmas leave from prison to Johnny Adair, the leading loyalist, writes Paul Tanney. It is understood the decision was based on security advice from the Police Service of Northern Ireland that his release could exacerbate existing tensions in Belfast.
Loyalists have admitted responsibility for two murders in the past two weeks and there are reports of increased tensions within the UDA between Adair's "C Company" and a neighbouring UDA unit.
Mr Adair was released on licence under the Belfast Agreement in 1999 after serving five years of a 16-year sentence but was sent back to jail in August last year after a loyalist feud which claimed seven lives.