Republican News · Thursday 6 February 2002

UDA threatens mass mobilisation

The UDA has threatened a mass mobilisation of several thousand of its members and supporters in Belfast at the weekend. The show of strength is intended to force out Johnny Adair's supporters in the lower Shankill.

On Tuesday, the UDA's ruling council gave C Company members 48 hours to disassociate from Adair or risk certain death. The UDA leadership ordered Adair's men to reallocate under the leadership of A and B Company. If they refused they would be "treated the same as the enemies of Ulster".

UDA from other parts of Belfast and County Down issued a series of statements condemning Adair. A, B and D Companies said the rank and file had endorsed a decision to withdraw recognition of C Company's current leadership.

The Loyalist Volunteer Force, the breakaway UVF grouping with previous close associations with C Company, also issued a statement against Adair. The LVF said they "have not and would not become involved in any act connected to this ongoing problem".

Meanwhile Adair's close associate, John White, emerged from hiding to insist that he wasn't afraid of the UDA leadership and that the organisation would prove to be unable to dictate to the rank and file.

White arrived at his luxury Carrickfergus home protected by heavily armed PSNI officers and British soldiers in a convoy of armoured vehicles.

"I have had nine warnings that my life is in danger," said White, "but the UDA hasn't succeeded yet."

Under the cover of a mass mobilisation, the UDA leadership appears to intend to move into the lower Shankill and "remove Adair's remaining supporters from the area", by which time their fate seems sealed. However, media reports suggest that by then C Company bosses will have already fled Belfast, to sit out the shooting in luxury abroad.

The fate of the rank and file is less assured. Apparently young UDA members of C Company have been threatened by Adair's lynch men that they will be shot dead if they comply with mainstream UDA demands.