Loyalist paramilitary chief Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair's legal battle against being ordered back to jail is to begin tomorrow.
Lawyers for the Ulster Defence Association leader are going to the High Court in a bid to overturn Secretary of State Paul Murphy's decision to have his early-release licence revoked.
Adair's close associate, Mr John White tonight confirmed his legal team will argue the imprisonment was a political decision that cannot be justified. "We think it's wrong that a politician can have that power to return someone to prison," Mr White said.
"We will be asking what evidence he has and arguing that it is no longer acceptable that evidence can be given in camera."
The Shankill Road loyalist was returned to the top security Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim on Friday amid fears that an internal paramilitary feud was about to erupt into an all-out shooting war.
Two men have been killed as the bitter dispute between Adair and the five other UDA brigade commanders who dismissed him from the organisation turned deadly.
A dossier compiled by security chiefs claimed Adair has been running terrorist operations, extortion and other rackets since he was released last May.
After studying the evidence Mr Murphy agreed it was too dangerous to let him stay free.
It is the second time he has been sent back to jail since his original release under the terms of the Belfast Agreement in 1999.
Adair was originally sentenced to 16 years imprisonment in 1994 after he was found guilty of directing terrorism.
If the challenge tomorrow fails, Mr White insisted they would fight on. "We will then seek leave for a judicial review of the decision."
PA