Amid fears of a potential loyalist paramilitary feud, there were appeals last night for calm following the shooting of a former member of the Progressive Unionist Party's talks team, Mr Jackie Mahood, in Belfast on Thursday night.
Fears that an inter-loyalist paramilitary dispute could break out were raised by the intervention of the breakaway Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) which last night challenged the UVF leadership to deny involvement in the murder attempt.
The UVF should distance itself from the shooting and issue a public statement saying it was not involved, the LVF said in a statement. If the hands of the UVF "were clean" it should issue such a statement, added the dissident loyalist group, which is not observing a ceasefire.
Mr Mahood was shot three times in the head and neck when men broke into his taxi company on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast. Last night he was said to be in a serious condition. His condition was said to have improved slightly.
Mr Mahood, who was involved with the PUP up to last June when he broke away from the party over his opposition to its political strategy, recently faced a number of threats and was aware that he was in danger, according to RUC and local sources.
It is understood he had moved house in the past year and was allowed a personal security grant by the Northern Ireland Office.
Mr Thomas Stewart, an associate of Mr Mahood, was shot dead in October, 1996, after he was stood down as a UVF leader in north Belfast.
Mr David Ervine, chief spokesman for the PUP, which is linked to the UVF, suggested yesterday that the "criminal elements" which murdered Mr Stewart might also have shot Mr Mahood. He played down concern about a possible feud involving the UVF and LVF. "I believe that a criminal element was responsible for the attack on Jackie Mahood, probably the same element who shot dead a member of the UVF in that area over a year ago.
"I think the police the last time clarified that we were accurate when we said it was a criminal gang that attacked Tommy Stewart, and perhaps we will find that we are accurate in this one again. Those who are hyping up the theory of feuds must have another agenda."
Mr Mahood's departure from the PUP was "cordial enough", said Mr Ervine, adding: "He disagreed with the direction of the party, but that happens in politics. It's important that people be calm. I would appeal for people to avoid jumping to conclusions about what happened."
The Rev Roy Magee, the Presbyterian minister who helped broker the loyalist ceasefire of 1994, endorsed his appeal. He said "open warfare" among loyalists was to nobody's benefit. It was loyalists themselves who would suffer from a feud.
Mr Gary McMichael, leader of the Ulster Democratic Party, which is linked to the UDA, said the two loyalist parties would remain united in trying to pursue the political peace process.
Mr Ian Paisley jnr, of the DUP, blamed the UVF for the attack. He said the shooting raised serious questions about the PUP's involvement in the talks. "I think it is very clear that the Mitchell Principles today mean nothing as a result of this shooting."
Mr Seamus Close, deputy leader of the Alliance Party, said the shooting raised questions about the PUP's presence at the talks. "Those who attempt to be involved in democracy but try to undermine it have got to be exposed."
The UK Unionist Party leader, Mr Robert McCartney, said he believed the loyalist parties would never be indicted at the talks over the loyalist paramilitary actions.
