REPRESENTATIVES of the two main loyalist parties stressed yesterday that the loyalist ceasefire was intact despite the murder of Co Derry man, Mr Sean Brown.
The Ulster Democratic Party's Mr David Adams and the Progressive Unionist Party's, Mr David Ervine, were meeting the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr Mo Mowlam, for the first time.
Mr Adams said: "Obviously, with the strains and pressures which had been put on the loyalist ceasefire because of the continued actions of the IRA there has been some fraying at the edges but essentially the CLMC (Combined Loyalist Military Command) remains committed to a democratic resolution of the conflict in Northern Ireland."
He said he expected his party at the multi-party talks on June 3rd. Given traditional loyalist suspicion of Labour governments, Mr Adams was told that the British prime minister had re-emphasised the principle of consent. Mr Adams said the process should not be "contorted" to allow republicans in.
"We are totally and absolutely and actively opposed to any acts of violence: The double standards that are quite obvious to everyone, are being applied by Sinn Fein and the republican movement whereby on one hand they talk about their efforts towards peace while at the same time their paramilitary bedfellows are carrying out acts of terrorism," said Mr Adams.
Mr Ervine said the meeting was constructive. Issues such as the talks process and the reintroduction of the Forum were discussed.
Asked about the ceasefire, Mr Ervine said: "There is a Combined Loyalist Military Command ceasefire in place."