Pressure on Blair to free paramilitary boss Adair
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Prime Minister Tony Blair faced fresh pressure to free loyalist paramilitary boss Johnny Adair today.
Prime Minister Tony Blair faced fresh pressure to free loyalist paramilitary boss Johnny Adair today.
The Shankill Road Ulster Freedom Fighter chief had been released early under the Good Friday Agreement but rearrested on the orders of Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson after a bitter feud with rival faction, the Ulster Volunteer Force, claimed the lives of three Belfast men.
Adair's wife Gina, who was flying to London to protest at Downing Street, asked: "Why is he being used as a scapegoat when republican ex-prisoners involved in terrorism are allowed to remain on the streets?"
Political representatives of the two warring groups have held initial talks to find a way of resolving the feud.
David Ervine and Dawn Purvis of the Progressive Unionist Party, which is linked with the Ulster Volunteer Force, met the UFF-aligned Ulster Democratic Party leader Gary McMichael and his colleague David Adams.
None of the representatives are from the Shankill Road, where the feud has centred, but they hope their exploratory discussions can lead to further talks, eventually involving paramilitaries on both sides.
Today's Downing Street demonstration has been organised by the British/Ulster Alliance, which accused Mr Mandelson of double standards.
A spokesman claimed the RUC and British Government were aware that many ex-republican prisoners were involved in violent terrorist activities and asked why Adair should be made "a political scapegoat" while this occurred.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments