Ulster Unionist MP Mr David Burnside today defended his decision to hold private talks with a loyalist paramilitary group during the summer.
He confirmed he met the leadership of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), whose ceasefire was declared over by the Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid last Friday. Mr Burnside said he would meet the paramilitary group again if asked.
Mr Burnside, who has been critical of his party's participation in the Stormont government with Sinn Féin, said: "I was asked by a number of community groups in north Belfast who were going through a very difficult time if I would meet with the UDA leadership to give my reading of the political situation.
"There had been a great deal of violence which had been attributed to the UDA. These included pipe bomb attacks to two fatal shootings in my constituency," he said.
"I asked the loyalist organisation to desist from the violence which I believe has been attributed to them. I told them that violence was not productive for the loyalist cause and I would do so again".
Mr Burnside's meeting with the UDA inner council "shocked" pro-Agreement party colleagues such as South Antrim Assembly member Mr Duncan Shipley-Dalton, who called for the MP's resignation.
But Mr Burnside said: "I do not see why there is such a furore about this. Secretaries of state have met the Ulster Defence Association. I have no problem whatsoever meeting loyalist paramilitaries to tell them their violence should end".
But Mr Burnside said he would not meet the IRA if asked. "I have no influence with republicans. I would leave that up to Her Majesty's Government which has an open door to the leadership of the Provisional IRA".
PA