By Irish American Information Service

The loyalist paramilitary leader Johnny Adair has been arrested and returned to prison tonight following the revoking of his licence by Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Paul Murphy. 

Murphy said, "I am satisfied that Adair is a danger to others and while he is at liberty, is likely to commit further offences. On the basis of security information available to me, I have decided to return Johnny Adair to prison. I will not hesitate to revoke the licence of any prisoner released under the Remission of Sentences Act if they present a risk to the safety of others."

Adair had previously been returned to prison for breaching licence conditions in August ,2000. On May 15, 2002, he was released having reached the halfway point of his sentence.

Adair and his 'political adviser' John White were recently expelled from the UDA by its leadership. Adair is believed to be the leader of the UDA's C Company on the lower Shankill Road. Following his expulsion, a feud between C Company and the UDA has resulted in a series of shootings and murders. 

The following transcripts on Johnny Adair's arrest are courtesy of the Irish Information Service.

MARK DEVENPORT - JOHNNY ADAIR'S ARREST - BBC NEWSLINE, Jan. 10, 2003

NOEL THOMPSON

The loyalist leader Johnny Adair has been arrested. Adair has been at the centre of the recent feud with the UDA. He was expelled from the organisation in September last year. Earlier this week a pipe bomb partially exploded at his home in the Lower Shankill. 

Within the past few minutes, the Northern Ireland Office has confirmed the Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, signed an Order revoking his license. It's the second time his license has been revoked since he was released early under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. 

Mark, we know that the Secretary of State is going to make a statement of some kind at 7 o'clock, any idea what that will contain?

MARK DEVENPORT

Yes, I'm expecting that, Noel, to be a brief statement by Paul Murphy. He will say that he is satisfied that Johnny Adair is a danger to others, and that while he remains at liberty, he is likely to commit further offences. And Paul Murphy will go on then to say, that on the basis of the security information available to him, he's decided to return Johnny Adair to prison. It's our understanding that Johnny Adair will now remain in prison until the end of his license period, which takes us to January, 2005.
 

I wouldn't expect Paul Murphy to elaborate much more than giving that basic statement, because he knows that lawyers potentially could challenge this decision, as they did previously when Peter Mandelson revoked Johnny Adair's license, and so he won't want to get into any legal complexity other than standing on those words.

NOEL THOMPSON

But reading behind those words, what has led to this arrest?

MARK DEVENPORT

Well it's clearly against the backdrop of the loyalist feud between the mainstream UDA, if you like, and C Company, which no less a figure than the Chief Constable Hugh Orde made no bones about in his speech earlier this week, was in his words, the infamous Johnny Adair and his cronies. So, this has been going on, it's claimed lives on both sides, and I think it's that feud which has led the Secretary of State to come to this decision, that if Johnny Adair remains at liberty, he's likely to commit further offences.

NOEL THOMPSON

There also have been threats made against Johnny Adair, of course, in a certain way this will protect him from attack from his enemies?

MARK DEVENPORT

Well Johnny Adair was the target of a pipe bomb attack which actually exploded in his back garden, so in some ways it might be the safest place for him to be. Whether he will see it in that way is obviously open for question.

BRIAN ROWAN - JOHNNY ADAIR'S ARREST - BBC NEWSLINE - 10 JANUARY 2003

DONNA TRAINOR

Brian, give us a little bit more on the details behind this arrest?

BRIAN ROWAN

Well Adair is seen as the central player in this latest feud, the feud that has opened up within the UDA organisation. You'll remember he was expelled from that group in September this year, there have been a number of killings since then, a number of murder attempts. My understanding is that Paul Murphy sought police advice, was given that police advice and decided to revoke Adair's license. He was arrested this evening, and returned to jail. He'll either be back in jail now or he'll be on his way to jail.

DONNA TRAINOR

What will he be told when he's in jail, why he's been returned there?

BRIAN ROWAN

My understanding is tomorrow morning he will be given a list of reasons for this arrest, and I'll just take you through some of it, Donna. He will be accused of directing acts of terrorism, involvement in drugs and extortion, membership of a banned organisation, money laundering and acquiring having, and distributing weapons. That is a list that will be put to him tomorrow morning, and I'm told this is a list of his alleged activities since his release from prison last May.

DONNA TRAINOR

Will fresh charges therefore be brought against him, concerning these?

BRIAN ROWAN

Well, I suppose if there's evidence, rather than intelligence to back up what he's been accused of, fresh charges could be put to him. But the police don't need to put fresh charges to him for him to be returned to jail. My understanding is he'd been returned to jail under the Remission of Sentences Act 1995, and he will be held in prison now until at least January, 2005.

DONNA TRAINOR

Now John White, who is an associate of Johnny Adair, has just said in a statement, he says, I think many loyalists will be very angry. Johnny Adair was a peacemaker and he did not want to get involved in any feuds. What does that mean for the feud between those in the UDA and Johnny Adair?

BRIAN ROWAN

Well I hear what John White is saying, I'm sure there will be many other loyalists who will be absolutely delighted that Johnny Adair is back in prison, and who will not see him as a peacemaker. The UDA have made clear that their feud is not with the so-called C Company in the Lower Shankill, that their dispute was with 2 individuals, Johnny Adair and John White, his close associate. And it will be interesting now to see if that arrest of Adair will settle that feud and bring an end to this spate of violence that we've seen in recent weeks.

SECRETARY OF STATE - DOORSTEP AT HILLSBOROUGH, Jan. 10, 2003

SECRETARY OF STATE

On police advice, I have revoked the license of Mr Johnny Adair and have returned him to prison. I am satisfied that Mr Adair is likely to commit further offences, and is a danger to others. I will not hesitate to take similar decisions in similar circumstances, which I believe the people of Northern Ireland would expect me to do.

MEDIA

(Unclear).

SECRETARY OF STATE

I'm sorry I can't give you any more information for legal reasons.

GARY HONEYFORD - ADAIR'S ARREST - SKY NEWS, Jan 10, 2003

INTERVIEWER

Gary, why was he re-imprisoned?

GARY HONEYFORD

The Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, has just made a statement in the building behind me, Hillsborough Castle, to the effect that he considered Johnny Adair was a danger to others whilst at liberty, and was likely to commit further offences if at liberty. 

So he has been returned again to Maghaberry Prison. It's the second time that he has been returned, a predecessor of Paul Murphy's, Peter Mandelson, had occasion during another loyalist feud to return Johnny Adair to prison, and in fact he was only released from there eight months ago.

INTERVIEWER

When is he likely to be released?

GARY HONEYFORD

Well the current thinking is perhaps January 2005, whenever the original sentence that he was in prison for directing terrorism runs its course. But no one is entirely sure of that as yet.

MARK SIMPSON - JOHNNY ADAIR'S ARREST - BBC NEWS 24, Jan. 10 2003

INTERVIEWER

Mark, do we know exactly why he has been rearrested?

MARK SIMPSON

A statement has been released in the past hour by the Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy, explaining in very brief details exactly that. Paul Murphy says that he is satisfied that Adair is a danger to others and was likely to commit further offences. I think it tells you all you need to know about the significance of this arrest of Johnny Adair, who you can see now, by the very fact that here you have a Northern Ireland Secretary of State releasing a statement about the arrest of just one man.

INTERVIEWER

And can you explain the significance of who he is, the background of Johnny Adair?

MARK SIMPSON

Well he's a very notorious figure within loyalism. He was convicted in 1994 for directing terrorism. He was blamed for a number of deaths and was sentenced to 16 years. Since then he got out in 1999, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, he got released early. He then was sent back to prison, by the then Secretary of State Peter Mandelson, and now Paul Murphy has done what Peter Mandelson did two years ago, and sent Johnny Adair back to prison again.

INTERVIEWER

And let's not forget there is a major feud going on within the loyalist paramilitary parties at the moment?

MARK SIMPSON

A very bloody feud indeed. So far three men have been killed, and I have to say Johnny Adair feared that he could be next. He even wore a bullet proof vest. Graffiti appeared in Belfast, which said, Johnny Adair, "dead man walking", and ironically he's probably safer tonight, because he has been arrested, other than actually being at his home in the Shankill Road.

Jan. 13, 2003

Attempts will begin this morning to win back Johnny Adair's freedom from jail. News Letter, page 1, 2. reports that Johnny Adair is going through normal committal procedures at the moment and is not under an isolation regime. See also Irish Times, page 6, Times, page 2, Irish Independent, page 4. Mirror, page 23.

In its Morning View the News Letter, page 8, comments that Johnny Adair's return to custody maybe justified on the evidence held by Government and the police although undoubtedly Johnny Adair will test the validity of Paul Murphy's directive in the High Court. An immediate end to the loyalist paramilitary feud is desirable for the creation of a better quality life for those decent law abiding citizens who live in areas afflicted by the conflict.

Senior figures on both sides say returning Johnny Adair to prison may not mean an end to the UDA feud Irish News, page 5.

SUSAN MILLAR - JOHNNY ADAIR - UTV LUNCHTIME NEWS, Jan. 17, 2003

REPORTER

The loyalist leader, Johnny Adair has been granted leave to make a legal challenge to the Secretary of State's decision to return him to jail. However, the judge said the decision to grant leave for a judicial review in no way indicated that it would be successful.

SUSAN MILLAR

Johnny Adair was returned to prison last week because the Secretary of State said he had breached the terms of his license, which entitles him to be freed before completing his 16-year sentence for directing terrorism. Supporters of Adair went to court today hear arguments that his right to challenge this decision was not properly represented in the legislation. The decision on his status should be decided by a Review Commissioner, appointed by the Secretary of State, and they argued that this was not an impartial authority. 

Granting leave to apply for a judicial review of the legislation, Mr. Justice Kerr said it signified nothing more than the court acceptance that Adair had an arguable case, but it was in no sense a forecast of the ultimate outcome of the subsequent application. There's no more than a recognition that the argument was worthy of further investigation. 

The parties will meet again earlier next week to lay down a timetable for the hearing of the applications. Mr. Justice Kerr pointed out there were a considerable number of judicial reviews, still waiting to be heard.

Feb. 2, 2003
UDA Chiefs Isolate Adair's 'C' Company

Paramilitary chiefs plotting revenge strikes for the murder of top loyalist John Gregg today warned rank and file members to isolate the unit behind the attack. As detectives continued to question two men about the shooting, incensed Ulster Defence Association leaders were planning attacks on the rival faction responsible.

The terror organisation has blamed supporters of jailed UDA commander Johnny `Mad Dog` Adair in west Belfast`s hard- line Lower Shankill estate for the killing.

A group calling itself the Red Hand Defenders - widely interpreted as a cover name for Adair`s associates - said it shot Gregg in the city`s docks area at the weekend.

Members of the UDA`s so-called inner council today issued an ultimatum before a fresh round of blood-letting begins.

A senior source said: "All those in west Belfast who are claiming to be Red Hand Defenders will now be treated as such: A separate group. All those who want to remain in the mainstream organisation are quite welcome to make their own arrangements."

Gregg, 45, and another UDA member, Robert Carson, were gunned down as they returned from a Glasgow Rangers football match on Saturday night.

Two other men, including the taxi driver, were wounded in the ambush, which took place as the cab stopped at traffic lights. The driver was critically wounded, while the other man`s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.

The security forces were today braced for a wave of revenge attacks as the bitter internal feud threatened to turn into
all-out war.

Loyalist sources claim members of Adair`s C Company group were on the same ferry as Gregg and his companions as they returned home from Stranraer.

Gregg was the UDA`s South East Antrim commander and a member of the inner council, which expelled Adair last September. The latest two deaths take the number of people killed in the latest power-struggle to four.

Feb. 5, 2003
'C' Company Defies Ultimatum

Warring loyalists in Northern Ireland were tonight heading for a bloody showdown after supporters of Johnny Adair defied an ultimatum to disassociate from him and the Lower Shankill-based 'C' Company of the UDA.

As the bitter feud within the Ulster Defense Association continued, Adair's faction vowed to meet any attacks with "a measured military response."

It followed a warning from the UDA leadership to Adair's men to desert C Company by midnight tomorrow or face the consequences.

Adair's unit pledged to resist any attacks. "Any acts of aggression towards C Company personnel will be met with a measured military response against the aggressors. While C Company will continue to seek a resolution to the present impasse and difficulties, we are determined and resolute in ensuring the safety of our officers and members," it added.

The UDA leadership has warned that retribution for Saturday night's double murder will begin hours after tomorrow's funeral of south east Antrim brigadier John Gregg.

The funeral in the loyalist Rathcoole Estate on the outskirts of north Belfast is expected to be the biggest loyalist paramilitary show of strength since LVF leader Billy Wright was buried.

Adair's company was blamed for the murders of Gregg and fellow UDA member Robert (Rab) Carson, who were shot in Belfast on Saturday night as they returned from a Glasgow Rangers match.

One senior loyalist claimed that Adair and his close associate John White were "finished."

"Members of C Company are walking away in droves. There is no doubt about it, these people are finished. Adair doesn't have the support of any other organization," he said.

Carson, a 33-year-old father of two, was buried today after a funeral service at his family home. Members of the UDA's leadership were among thousands of loyalists who turned out for the funeral in the Rathcoole Estate.

These included the four remaining members of the UDA inner council, Jim Gray (East Belfast), Billy McFarlane (North Antrim and Derry), Jackie McDonald (South Belfast) and Andre Shoukri (North Belfast).

Among those following the coffin was Mo Courtney, former ally of Adair. Today`s funeral cortege was led by a lorry carrying floral tributes. Among them were wreathes from the UDA, the Loyalist Prisoners` Association (LPA) and the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG).

Lining the route were marshals wearing black ties with the distinctive UDA crest and motto Quis Separabit (who will separate us). The cortege slowly made its way in the brilliant sunshine past a large mural with two black hooded UDA men carrying guns.

Feb. 6, 2003
Adair Supporters Flee to Scotland

The jailed loyalist paramilitary leader Johnny (Mad Dog) Adair was left isolated today after his family and supporters were driven out of Belfast in a bitter paramilitary feud.

Adair was told his wife Gina and close associate John White were among a group who fled to Scotland after homes were attacked at his former powerbase in the city's Lower Shankill area.

They caught a ferry to Cainryan as thousands prepared to gather for today's funeral of Ulster Defense Association boss John Gregg, Adair's bitter rival, who was shot dead last weekend.

Dumfries and Galloway Police confirmed that four people on the ferry which arrived at Cairnryan were questioned under the Terrorism Act. A police spokesman said: "In keeping with normal policing activity, a number of passengers traveling on the sailing which arrived at Cairnryan at 6.10 a.m. were subject to checks under anti-terrorism legislation.

"As a consequence, four individuals were subject to examination under the terms of the Terrorism Act 2000."

Members of Adair's unit also deserted him today after being warned they would be shot if they did not quit his C Company. It has been at the center of at least three feuds which left more than a dozen men dead.

Security sources in Belfast confirmed the departure of
Adair's wife from the couple's heavily-fortified home at Boundary Way after gangs of men pulled up in cars and started attacking houses late last night. A man was arrested after police returned fire on a gunman.

The streets were littered with bricks and bottles today and Adair's two alsatian dogs sat at the gate. Flags were also ripped down.

Paint was smeared over a C Company mural on a nearby gable wall, some of it by Mo Courtney, who is among the men who deserted Adair in the aftermath of the Gregg shooting. He declared: "The feud is now over."

Community representatives also believe the in-fighting may have ended. Pastor Jack McKee said: "There may be people who want to settle old scores, but what we have witnessed in recent days and weeks is finished."

At the Northern Ireland High Court in Belfast later today, Adair's lawyers were due to challenge Secretary of State Paul Murphy's decision to have him sent back to jail for allegedly being in breach of the conditions under which he was released.

Once the most powerful member of the UDA, he is in Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, Co. Antrim, totally isolated by men who used to idolize him.

The movements of Adair's wife, White and others who stayed loyal but who fled in fear of their lives is unclear. But police in Scotland will almost certainly keep them under surveillance.

But loyalist sources in Belfast claimed Adair's wife and White could not consider themselves safe in Scotland. One said: "The UDA is right across the UK and I cannot see this being resolved, not just yet. There are outstanding issues. It wouldn't matter they went to the Mediterranean. John Gregg is lying in a coffin and that is a disgrace. We know these people have been buying homes in Scotland. Obviously, this is what they had been planning for. It is part of the end game."

Meanwhile, loyalist paramilitaries today fired a volley of shots as rival organizations gathered near Belfast for the huge funeral of murdered UDA boss John Gregg.

Among thousands of mourners were the four remaining UDA brigadiers who had fought alongside Gregg in a deadly turf war against Adair. Top paramilitaries in the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Loyalist Volunteer Force also followed the coffin - which was draped in a UDA-affiliated Ulster Freedom Fighters flag - from Gregg's home in the Rathcoole Estate in a major show of solidarity.

Adair's humiliation appeared complete when men who had defected from his C Company unit turned up for the funeral. Gregg, who led the UDA's Southeast Antrim brigade, was being buried in a Cloughfern Young Conquerors flute band uniform.

Friday, Feb. 7, 2003

The funeral of John Gregg and the flight of Johnny Adair's supporters to Scotland dominates today's papers on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Irish News

Exiled Adair allies head to Edinburgh — Initially their destination was unknown but last night some sources reported that the group may be heading to the troubled Wester Hailes housing estate on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The estate is known to house drug families and there were reports that members of the Adair faction tried to buy houses there last year. They were also reported to have attempted to buy an Ayr pub - page 1.

Loyalist show of solidarity at Gregg funeral. A volley of shots was fired as rival organizations gathered for the huge funeral of murdered terror boss, John Gregg. The four remaining UDA brigadiers who had fought alongside Gregg in a deadly turf war against Adair were among the thousands of mourners - page 3.

 Rise and fall of loyalist icons - feature on the rout of 'C' company - page 4.

Adair challenges jail decision - Johnny Adair remained in prison yesterday while lawyers tried to persuade Northern Ireland's top judge to release him - page 4.

Chief Constable defends police response - Lives would have been lost when UDA men swooped against allies of Johnny Adair if police had not intervened, the Chief Constable said - page 5.

A message for all gangsters - Does it really matter if one set of gangsters is replaced by another as the dominant force in the Lower Shankill area? .... The message must be that the time has come to end the malign influence of each and every paramilitary organization once and for all. Considerable progress has been made since the appointment of Hugh Orde but, as he would agree, more has to be done. The indications are that the UDA may be vulnerable in the present circumstances, and this is an opportunity which deserves to be exploited. ..... Republican groups also need to accept that illegal activity at all levels will not be tolerated. The Assets Recovery Agency has a crucial role to play in this - editorial, page 6.

Loyalism facing a stark choice - The Secretary of State warns loyalism either to put its communities first and work politically or drift into criminality and political oblivion - page 7.

News Letter

Feud over ... but for how long? - P1 heading and photograph of Gregg funeral.

It's not over until it's over threat to exiles - UDA chief said last night that their feud with Johnny Adair's rebel 'C' company was over. However sources in the organization claimed that recriminations will continue as the hunt for the killers of John Gregg moves outside the province where dozens of Adair followers are in exile - page 2.

Retreat to Cairnryan - then on to Spain. Speculation was mounting that the Adair supporters were on their way to Spain or hiding in the West of Scotland - page 3.

Holiday or hell is choice offered to Adair supporters - page 3.

Scottish MP fears export of the violence - page 3.

Factions join forces to mourn murdered UDA chief - page 4.

Choice of war or peace - Murphy. Secretary of State warns loyalist communities that they face a choice between gangsterism and politics -page 5.

The UDA have put themselves beyond the pale of civilized society - Security Minister, Jane Kennedy said - page 5.

Chief Constable has compared the actions of loyalists to a Mafia feud - page 5.

Northern Ireland is within reach of a new era of peace and stability, the Secretary of State said last night. Speaking to Dublin Chamber of Commerce he said he was confident that the Assembly could be restored - page 6.

The bloody Adair feud may be virtually over, but the terror group of armed gangsters is not ..... It would be very naïve to imagine that the defeat of the Adair faction was the end of the matter .... There is a very long way to go before extortion, drugs and prostitution rackets are rendered profitless by the police and by the new Assets Recovery Agency - editorial, page 8.

Irish Times

Feud "over" as Adair loyalists flee to Scotland - page 10.

Largest loyalist funeral in years - page 10.

PSNI saved lives in feud - Orde - page 10.

Criminal elements betraying loyalism, says Murphy - page 10.

Irish Independent

Adair's men and wife flee to Scotland - page 1.

Loyalists close ranks on Adair as factions flee. Warning that his wife Gina and his associate John White must never be allowed to return - page 9.

Terror gangs unholy alliance toppled Adair - Alan Murray feature - page 10.

Times

Adair humiliated as his allies are chased out - page 4.

Scottish haven may hold similar sectarian divides - page 4.

Gangs of Belfast - Unionism needs to provide some leadership to its own. The struggle within loyalism has little to do with the health of the peace process or religion or group insecurity. ....... This is gangsterism in its purest sense - and an entirely immoral contest for control ..... Occasionally wrapped in a unionist flag of convenience ...... Responsibility lies with local politicians .... There has been an assumption that any bargain struck among London, Dublin, Mr. Trimble and Sinn Fein will by itself make the streets of Belfast peaceful. This is an increasingly implausible contention - Editorial P29. See also Independent, page 5; Daily Telegraph, pages 1 & 4; Guardian, page 3; Sun, pages 1 & 4; Daily Express, pages 14 & 15; Daily Mirror, pages 1 & 2, Daily Mail, page 31; Financial Times, page 5.

SECRETARY OF STATE - GMU, Feb. 7, 2003

CONOR BRADFORD

The Secretary of State remains confident that politics here can be put back on track, but only if what he calls the corrosive presence of paramilitaries is addressed. Speaking to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce in the wake of the UDA upheaval on the Shankill, Paul Murphy said it was his belief that the next few weeks offer the chance to consign politically motivated violence to history.

How confident are you that this exodus of the UDA element, loyal to Johnny Adair, to Scotland does actually draw a line over what has been a particularly vicious episode in our recent history?

SECRETARY OF STATE

I certainly hope it helps in the sense that the feud would be lessened in some ways over the next number of weeks. But there is, I think probably a more general point to make there, in the sense that people really have to make up their minds within the loyalist communities what they support.

 I believe that the vast majority of people in those communities want political loyalism to be their badge as it where, and so that that continues to have its mark, make its mark, and have its influence in the talks process. But as to the sort of gangsterism we've been seeing over the last number of months, and which I believe the Chief Constable is dealing with very effectively indeed, that type of loyalism is simply loyalism masqueraded, because effectively it is mobersterism. 

It has to stop, we have to do our utmost to deal with these people as criminals, but that is very, very different from the sort of loyalist politicians that I deal with during the talks process, so that choice has to be made.

CONOR BRADFORD

Yes, but if attitudes of people are important as you say, I mean look at that crowd that turned out for Mr. Gregg's funeral, 5,000 plus, guns over the coffin, and all that sort of business, I mean that's not very encouraging for you, is it?

 SECRETARY OF STATE

No, it isn't, and I think, as I say, that people ought to reflect on what's happened over the last couple of days, yet alone the last couple of weeks and months as to how they feel developments should go. And if they sit back and think that it is a very important point to be made politically about working class loyalism, in areas like the Shankill, and they would see their role in trying to influence the political developments over the next number of months, that's the way to go down, and I agree with you, I think it was unfortunate that we saw activity such as that. But of course all of this takes time, but I do hope people do reflect on the fact that there is nothing to be gained in any continuance of criminality in the way we've seen it. And that this feud has been nothing but corrosive in terms of people's attitudes.

CONOR BRADFORD

You say that the police were doing a very good job, you said that there were 70 police officers involved in the feud, but the public view on this is that they were just really allowed to battle this out amongst themselves, and dead bodies resulted, and that is what has called an end to it all, nothing to do with what the police did or didn't do?

SECRETARY OF STATE

You are right in the sense that there have been, I think 8 murders, as a consequence of this feud over the last number of months. But at the same time, I believe the Chief Constable is doing an excellent job, and the police generally. 

I think about 37 arrests have been made, there have been 17 people charged with offenses such as attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, and for having weapons with intent, and that will continue, and I know because I discussed these matters with the Chief Constable that he will come down heavy on such criminality. 

Of course you have to have the evidence in all this, of course there are processes to go through, but I am convinced that Hugh Orde, and the PSNI, are of the view that they have to tackle this very effectively indeed as criminality, and not really something which is masquerading as political loyalism, which it isn't.

 CONOR BRADFORD

Moving on to the bigger political picture which was largely the substance of your speech in Dublin, a chance to consign violence to history, here we are talking about this bloody UDA feud, and of course there are ironically, the major problems for the unionists are republican decommissioning and IRA weapons. Are you getting anywhere on this?

SECRETARY OF STATE

The next couple of weeks will be crucial, as you know the 2 Prime Ministers are coming to Hillsborough on Wednesday of next week. They will be discussing individually with the pro-Agreement parties how best to take politics forward in this respect. And I hope that the central message that the Prime Ministers gave back in October, and that is an end to paramilitary activity which is real, total and permanent, is one message which is going to be central to our discussions. 

But of course as well as that, we do have to address the other, what the Prime Minister calls acts of completion, whether it's normalization, or human rights, or the other issues which were part of the Good Friday Agreement. Those issues need to be discussed alongside the central issue of paramilitary activity, to give confidence and trust to political parties within the system that they can restore those institutions of the Assembly and of the Executive, that's the core of our discussions. 

It's what has been discussed over the last number of weeks and months, of course, as well. But as we get closer to next week, to Wednesday and beyond, these issues are extremely important for us to deal with.

CONOR BRADFORD

There was a rather glowing report from the local politicians of all persuasions on your first hundred days in office, that you were a great listener, and both sides felt that you had taken on their opinions, be it David Trimble, the unionists worry about the IRA still up and running, the republican desire to get the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. 

I mean, do you feel that for yourself the honeymoon period is now over and it's time to get tough, time for Mr. Murphy to start really addressing these problems in a more fundamental way, rather than just being Mr. Nice Guy?

 SECRETARY OF STATE

I've got lots of friends in political parties right across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland, and that's partly because, of course, I was the Minister here for a couple of years before, and I hope, I understand the issues, but at the end of the day, it's not me that's crucial to this process, I play my part, as of course does the other Ministers in Ireland and in the United Kingdom, and of course the two Prime Ministers. 

But at the end of the day, it seems to me that the only way we had the Good Friday Agreement established was that the political parties themselves, along with the Governments, because we have to implement things, were able to agree, between themselves how to go forward, and the only way in which we can go forward, is that we do get some agreement which unionism and nationalism Š forward on.

CONOR BRADFORD

Indeed, there's a great public appetite and of course this is wetted all the more by the imminent arrival of both Prime Ministers, there's a feeling that something should happen, otherwise they wouldn't be turning up, if you like, I know that you can't really reveal anything beforehand, but I mean in your bones, are you confident that we can make a quantum leap forward next week?

SECRETARY OF STATE

I don't think we're going to see the conclusion next week of these matters for one second. I think it will take some weeks longer before we arrive at an agreement between the parties. I think there will be a big step next week towards that, but in general terms, I'm more optimistic than I am pessimistic, because I believe that, not just politicians, but people in Northern Ireland want to take the process forward, and not to go backwards to those bad old days.