The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's cross-community party

 David Ford

Alliance Leader tells UDA to shut down instead of changing leadership

1.51.51pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 28th Jul 2006

Portrait-yellow: FORD David (photography: Allan Leonard)

Alliance Party Leader, David Ford

Alliance Party Leader, David Ford, has slammed the UDA, stating that it must shut down for good instead of merely changing its leadership in North Belfast. David Ford's comments come after the UDA announced that new leadership had been appointed in North Belfast to replace Andre and Ihab Shoukri.

David Ford said: "This move is totally ridiculous. The UDA should be shutting up shop altogether, instead of changing its leadership in North Belfast.

"Loyalist paramilitaries still pose a massive threat to the community in Northern Ireland. All paramilitary groups must cease activity and disband to allow progress to be made in breaking the current political stalemate in Northern Ireland."

"Whilst moves by republicans have been too long in coming, at least there are clear indications that the IRA is winding down it activities. We need to see similar commitments from loyalists."

David Ford concluded: "The only role for this new leadership is to closed down the UDA for once and for all."

ENDS

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