Fringe loyalists set to stay in the Ulster peace talks

Fringe loyalists are set to stay in the Ulster peace talks after yesterday appearing to have secured widespread support for their efforts to resist the Rev Ian Paisley's attempts to have them expelled. Both the Ulster Unionists and the nationalist SDLP signalled that they did not back Mr Paisley's plan to bar the Progressive Unionist Party and the Ulster Democratic Party for failing to condemn the paramilitary death threat against the Portadown militant loyalist Billy Wright.

While the British and Irish governments are to give their views today, a statement from the parties rejected the use of violence. They said they offered political advice to paramilitary groups, but they had no authority over paramilitary activities, concluding: "We resolutely oppose the use or threat of violence from whatever source," the statement said.