The UVF has said its commitment to the peace process is under serious strain. In a statement issued in Belfast last night, it warned the British government against making further concessions to Sinn Féin and the Provisional IRA in any secret deal.
The UVF also demanded republican dissidents end their campaign. Loyalist sources said while the paramilitary group's statement reflected "substantial dissatisfaction" with the peace process among its grassroots members and supporters, there was no imminent threat to its ceasefire.
It is understood there will be further "statements and developments" from the UVF and its political wing, the Progressive Unionist Party, over the next five days. There is speculation the UVF could withdraw its representative from contact with the international decommissioning body.
Mr David Ervine, leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, was last night unavailable for comment. In its statement to the BBC, the UVF and the smaller Red Hand Commando group blamed the Provisional IRA for "the current dearth of confidence" in the peace process. It warned the British government not to make unilateral concessions to Sinn Féin and the Provisionals as part of any secret deal to restore the North's Executive and Assembly.
"The underhand approach of the past must end," it said. The UVF accused the Provisionals of "the wholesale targeting of the pro-Union population", a reference to its alleged intelligence-gathering at Stormont and Castlereagh.
The UVF said until now it had shown "a genuine and meaningful commitment" to the search for "an honourable settlement" in the North but that commitment was now under serious pressure.
It said the British government would never be able to satisfy the "insatiable greed" of the Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin leadership. It called on republican dissidents to end their "phony war".
The UVF has been reviewing attitudes to the peace process at meetings across the North. Loyalist sources said there was massive disillusionment with the process and dwindling support for the Belfast Agreement. They said the UVF genuinely wanted to continue to support the process but was angry that support "was being taken for granted".
They warned if the British government did not "pay heed" to these concerns, the UVF could eventually withdraw support for the process.
The sources said the PUP had been sidelined in recent negotiations and the political process must become more "inclusive".
Ulster Unionist Assembly member, Mr Michael McGimpsey, last night said he believed the UVF statement presented "no imminent threat" to its ceasefire or the peace process.
Rather, it conveyed a "lack of patience" with the process and with Sinn Féin and the Provisional IRA.