Rival loyalist paramilitary groups in the North are holding talks in a major new attempt to forge a united front, it emerged tonight.
UDA and UVF have held a number of meetings in Belfast in the last week. One loyalist source said: "If this works out it will be big. This is moving towards a new loyalism down the line."
Efforts to draw the two terror groups into a closer alliance intensified after a savage UDA feud which claimed four lives was settled.
Supporters of Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair were driven out of Northern Ireland last week by factions intent on avenging the assassination of UDA chief John Gregg.
Senior figures on both sides were involved in the latest meeting which took place in Belfast yesterday, one well-placed source confirmed. "Community issues such as anti-social behaviour were discussed," he said.
"John Gregg's death has helped to gel loyalism and there's no doubt that relationships are now better than they were."
A UVF source claimed the big test now was for the rival organisation to cut back on its involvement in drug dealing. "The UDA and the UVF are having conversations and will be having closer links," he said.
Another loyalist source claimed low-level attacks such as a pipe-bombing on the home of three pensioners in west Belfast earlier this week showed more work needed to be done.
"Relationships are not yet all hugs and kisses now Adair has gone," he said.
"The attendance at Gregg's funeral needs to be capitalised on, otherwise that sense of euphoria could soon vanish," he added.
PA