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| UFF given the order to stand down | |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| The Ulster Defence Association formally stood down part of its organisation, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, at midnight. | |
| It said UFF weapons were being put beyond use, but stressed this did not mean they would be decommissioned. | |
| In a statement on Remembrance Sunday, the UDA leadership issued a strongly-worded attack on criminals in loyalist areas. | In a statement on Remembrance Sunday, the UDA leadership issued a strongly-worded attack on criminals in loyalist areas. |
| It said anyone with information about crime should pass it to the police. | It said anyone with information about crime should pass it to the police. |
| The UDA murdered more than 400 people during the Troubles; the majority of the killings were claimed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters, widely regarded as a cover name for the UDA. | The UDA murdered more than 400 people during the Troubles; the majority of the killings were claimed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters, widely regarded as a cover name for the UDA. |
| In its statement, the UDA said: "The Ulster Defence Association believes that the war is over, and we are now in a new democratic dispensation that will lead to permanent political stability. | In its statement, the UDA said: "The Ulster Defence Association believes that the war is over, and we are now in a new democratic dispensation that will lead to permanent political stability. |
| "But we believe the political parties and the political institutions are themselves still in a period of transition." | "But we believe the political parties and the political institutions are themselves still in a period of transition." |
| Shaun Woodward welcomed the statement | Shaun Woodward welcomed the statement |
| One of the UDA's leaders, Jackie McDonald, added: "90% of people in the loyalist community don't want de-commissioning." | One of the UDA's leaders, Jackie McDonald, added: "90% of people in the loyalist community don't want de-commissioning." |
| Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward welcomed the UDA statement, but said it needed to lead on to decommissioning of the paramilitary group's weapons. | Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward welcomed the UDA statement, but said it needed to lead on to decommissioning of the paramilitary group's weapons. |
| "They will be judged by their actions, not their words," he said. | "They will be judged by their actions, not their words," he said. |
| Arms move urged | Arms move urged |
| The UDA's move comes weeks after Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, announced she was to cut off £1.2m in loyalist funding unless the UDA decommissioned its weapons in 60 days. | The UDA's move comes weeks after Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, announced she was to cut off £1.2m in loyalist funding unless the UDA decommissioned its weapons in 60 days. |
| In a statement on Sunday, Ms Ritchie said: "I welcome the positive aspects of this statement, however, it is disappointing that there is still no intention on the part of the UDA to decommission its weapons." | In a statement on Sunday, Ms Ritchie said: "I welcome the positive aspects of this statement, however, it is disappointing that there is still no intention on the part of the UDA to decommission its weapons." |
| Alliance leader David Ford also urged a move on arms. | Alliance leader David Ford also urged a move on arms. |
| "It is has to verifiably decommission weapons and not just state that they are beyond use," he said. | "It is has to verifiably decommission weapons and not just state that they are beyond use," he said. |