A LEADING Presbyterian cleric who helped broker the loyalist ceasefire has claimed some middle class unionists are intent on forcing an end to it.
The Rev Roy Magee told The Irish Times that "clandestine" elements some of them "business type" unionists, wanted to destabilise the peace process and provoke the UDA, UVF and Red Hand Commando into resuming violence.
"They are involved in this campaign because they are unhappy with the loyalist ceasefires," he said. "They believe the process is leading to a united Ireland, and they are trying to goad the loyalist paramilitaries into doing their dirty work for them."
Before the loyalist ceasefire, which was called 18 months ago, a number of these "small unionists" approached him to try to dissuade him from helping broker the ceasefire, he added. "They believed that by encouraging the maintenance of violence they would ensure the maintenance of the Union," he said.
His claims are bolstered by what loyalist party sources have described as a continuing "black propaganda" campaign to discredit the fringe loyalist parties the Ulster Democratic Party and the Progressive Unionist Party, and leading clerics, including Mr Magee, over their resolute advocacy of the peace process.
His comments follow the warning by the PUP leader, Mr David Ervine, that the loyalist ceasefire is becoming increasingly fragile.
In recent weeks letters, leaflets, pamphlets, faxes, and a "sophisticated" video have been circulating in various parts of Northern Ireland accusing the loyalist fringe parties and the clerics of "selling out" the Union. The anonymous propaganda campaign appears to be concerted and well funded. The two hour video features a hooded paramilitary with a Scottish accent outlining the alleged "surrender of the Union.
Mr Reg Empey, an honorary secretary of the Ulster Unionist Party, said he respected Mr Magee and was aware of the propaganda campaign against the fringe parties. He was unaware, however, of any unionist grouping wanting a return to loyalist violence. It seemed bizarre and lacked logic.
"Certainly there is no Ulster Unionist involvement in this as we have also been targeted by the campaign," he said.
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr, legal affairs spokesman for the DUP, questioned Mr Magee's credibility. "If the loyalist paramilitaries break their ceasefire it will be for their own reasons and not because of what any nameless middle class unionists want them to do," he added.
Mr Magee said the Combined Loyalist Military Command would continue to make its own decisions and set its own agenda. "They won't allow anyone else set their agenda," he added.
Mr Gary McMichael, leader of the UDP, which reflects the viewpoint of the UDA, last night insisted the loyalist ceasefire was stable and solid and, despite the propaganda campaign, would hold in the immediate future.
