Loyalist terrorists could be turned into martyrs if Northern Ireland police chief Hugh Orde seizes them without proper proof of criminal activity, he was warned today.
As the security forces step up a major new drive to put paramilitary bosses behind bars, former MP Robert McCartney claimed Mr Orde risked stepping outside existing laws.
The former MP claimed: "He is suggesting that he will arrest loyalists for everything and anything just to take them off the streets.
"The principle as far as this country is concerned is people are only arrested on the basis of well founded suspicion of criminality.
"Any other policy breeds bitterness, resentment and hostility and runs the risk of turning these thugs into martyrs in their community."
The chief constable has pledged to capture the loyalist terror chiefs who are still plotting sectarian attacks and waging a deadly internal feud.
He told US politicians last week more soldiers were on the streets of Northern Ireland than at any time during the last five years.
"I have dedicated squads targeting both Johnny Adair and enemies," Mr Orde said.
Days later Adair - who has been locked in a bitter dispute with former Ulster Defence Association comrades - was thrown back in jail by Secretary of State Paul Murphy.
Mr McCartney insisted he was fiercely opposed to the paramilitaries, but warned Mr Orde against manipulating the law for political ends.
The QC claimed if the current laws were not tough enough to deal with the loyalists, new measures should be brought in.
PA