UVF following in the footsteps of Provisional IRA by scaling down to ‘skeletal' size

Sunday World

20 hours ago

'For the past few weeks, whispers have emerged that the UVF and other loyalist paramilitaries were going to make a big announcement at some point in the autumn.'
By reducing its ranks to a 'skeletal' size, the UVF is following in the footsteps of the Provisional IRA, a senior loyalist source has said.
He was speaking after historian Dr Aaron Edwards revealed earlier this month that the UVF leadership is close to brokering a deal with the British government which would see the loyalist terror group issue a 'General Order of Disbandment'.
Author of the book UVF: Behind the Mask and viewed as an expert on loyalism, Newtownabbey-born Dr Edwards claims the UVF leadership want to retain an elite of military members who will act as protectors of the organisation, as it continues its journey to a peaceful society in Northern Ireland.
A senior lecturer at Sandhurst Military College, Dr Edwards said retained UVF members could be styled a 'veterans association', but in reality it will be more like a 'close protection team' for senior members.
And he was backed last night by a senior loyalist source who insisted the UVF was working from a blueprint devised by the Provisional IRA.
Former UVF leader Gusty Spence along with William Smyth, Gary McMichael, David Irvine and David Adams.
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'If you don't believe the Provos still exist then cast your mind back ten years to the murder of former IRA man Kevin McGuigan, who was shot dead outside his home in the Short Strand. Everyone now knows he was killed by the Provos,' he said.
He added: 'It's at times like this that paramilitary leaders are most vulnerable from a range of enemies – both outside and from within. The retention of military capability and personnel is simply an insurance policy.'
Eight years ago the Sunday World revealed that representatives of all paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland were asked to meet with senior security personnel at a venue off Belfast's Springfield Road.
They were briefed about government policy on criminality linked to loyalist and republican organisations.
Aaron Edwards.
And they were warned the authorities were well aware of the identity of those involved in illegal activity and it would be only a matter of time before the PSNI moved against them.
Dr Edwards said he saw Friday's developments as a continuation of that policy.
Speaking to the Sunday World from his office at Sandhurst, he said: 'We shouldn't forget that meeting in west Belfast, because that's where all this began. Ordinary people want to live in a normal society.
'For the past few weeks, whispers have emerged that the UVF and other loyalist paramilitaries were going to make a big announcement at some point in the autumn.
'But at that time I didn't believe any move would be made towards disbandment. For me, it would have seemed very unusual, given how deeply these organisations had become bedded in local communities.
'However, a movement has emerged from the bottom of the paramilitary groups and in particular the UVF in certain areas, where people are saying they've had enough of criminality and there is no reason for loyalist paramilitary groups to exist any longer.
'And there is clearly an ongoing process from the top down to negotiate with the UVF leadership. It is my understanding this has been ongoing since 2017.
'So this week, we've seen the skeletal details of this emerging about what that might look like. It's clear the terminology is very militaristic. And that would suggest to me that these things that are being talked about are accurate.
'However, given that the UVF is a top-down organisation, the foot soldiers are always the last to know, so it will be interesting to see how this works its way down through the ranks and across different areas.' Dr Edwards said.
He added: 'It's my understanding that this direction of travel has been set for some time. And it may bring us forward to a different phase, but whether it brings about complete disbandment of the UVF, remains to be seen.'
Formed in November 1965, the modern-day UVF brought the gun back into Northern Ireland politics with the shooting of three Catholic barmen the following June.
The group had been enjoying an after-hours pint in the Malvern Arms pub in the Shankill area of Belfast. And as the were leaving they were caught in a hail of gunfire as soon as they stepped out onto the street around 2.15am.
UVF leader, Gusty Spence – a former member of the Royal Ulster Rifles – was jailed for life along with other members of the organisation, which was immediately proscribed by the then Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Captain Terence O'Neill.
During its 30-year campaign, the UVF went on to kill more than 500 people during the Troubles, carrying out many massacres of innocent Catholics, including those mutilated by the Shankill Butchers.