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Government moving on UVF's status | Government moving on UVF's status |
(about 24 hours later) | |
The government has said that it now recognises the ceasefire of the loyalist paramilitary grouping the Ulster Volunteer Force. | The government has said that it now recognises the ceasefire of the loyalist paramilitary grouping the Ulster Volunteer Force. |
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward told the House of Commons the UVF, and the associated Red Hand Commando grouping, are to be despecified. | Secretary of State Shaun Woodward told the House of Commons the UVF, and the associated Red Hand Commando grouping, are to be despecified. |
Last May, the UVF said it was assuming "a non-military civilianised role". | Last May, the UVF said it was assuming "a non-military civilianised role". |
Dawn Purvis, leader of the PUP, which has links to the UVF, welcomed the move. | Dawn Purvis, leader of the PUP, which has links to the UVF, welcomed the move. |
"This is recognition of the work carried out and progress made since the statement of intent of May last year," she said. | "This is recognition of the work carried out and progress made since the statement of intent of May last year," she said. |
"This is further evidence of Northern Ireland's strides towards normality." | "This is further evidence of Northern Ireland's strides towards normality." |
Mr Woodward said that he was specifing a dissident republican grouping based in Strabane calling itself Oglaigh na hEireann (Irish Republican Army). | Mr Woodward said that he was specifing a dissident republican grouping based in Strabane calling itself Oglaigh na hEireann (Irish Republican Army). |
They were blamed for the murder of Andrew Burns by the IMC, the body which monitors the paramilitary ceasefires. | They were blamed for the murder of Andrew Burns by the IMC, the body which monitors the paramilitary ceasefires. |
Mr Burns' body was found with gun shot wounds near a church in Doneyloop in County Donegal. | Mr Burns' body was found with gun shot wounds near a church in Doneyloop in County Donegal. |
Mr Woodward said they had "taken a careful look" at the UVF's position. | Mr Woodward said they had "taken a careful look" at the UVF's position. |
SPECIFIED GROUPS | SPECIFIED GROUPS |
"In the light of this and in acknowledgement of their commitment and additional factors, I have therefore concluded that there are sufficient grounds to de-specify the UVF/RHC," he said. | "In the light of this and in acknowledgement of their commitment and additional factors, I have therefore concluded that there are sufficient grounds to de-specify the UVF/RHC," he said. |
In 2005 the then Secretary of State, Peter Hain, specified the UVF and RHC following a feud with the Loyalist Volunteer Force, which claimed four lives. | In 2005 the then Secretary of State, Peter Hain, specified the UVF and RHC following a feud with the Loyalist Volunteer Force, which claimed four lives. |
The UVF was also blamed for orchestrating rioting which followed the re-routing of an Orange Order parade in Whiterock. | The UVF was also blamed for orchestrating rioting which followed the re-routing of an Orange Order parade in Whiterock. |
There are no changes to the status of other specified organisations. | There are no changes to the status of other specified organisations. |
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