The Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) has withdrawn from the Combined Loyalist Military Command, the umbrella group for the loyalist paramilitaries which called the ceasefire in October 1994, it was reported yesterday. A UFF source was quoted as telling BBC Radio Ulster that the group had broken away from the combined loyalist body, which also comprises the UVF and the Red Hand Commando.
The split, however, will not affect the current ceasefire which still stands according to loyalist sources.
Tensions had grown between the UFF, and the UVF and Red Hand Commando, in the past year. UFF members were said to be angry that the UVF had not succeeded in bringing to book the dissident mid-Ulster loyalist Billy Wright, who is now associated with the breakaway Loyalist Volunteer Force.
The divisions within the camps were also exposed when the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP), which is linked to the UVF and Red Hand Commando, did not participate in the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) rally in Belfast on Sunday.
Mr Gary McMichael, leader of the UDP, said the combined loyalist ceasefire still held. "There can be no question about the commitment of loyalists to this talks process," he said.
Mr David Ervine, chief spokesman for the PUP, said the relationship between his party and the UDP was a "strong one". The loyalist parties would continue to work together on behalf of the unionist people, he said.
