The name of Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair's infamous terror unit has been changed by loyalist paramilitary chiefs in Northern Ireland, it was revealed last night.
Ulster Defence Association leaders have formally changed C Company's name in an alleged attempt to prove their commitment to a new peace initiative. A statement issued last night said: "This once proud company's name has been dragged through the mud by the actions of Johnny Adair and his henchmen.
"We feel that the continuous use of C Company's name will do nothing to forward our aims to normalise this community. A decision has been made by the West Belfast brigade of the UDA and ratified by the inner council to eradicate the name C Company from the West Belfast brigade. From February 27th, C Company will be known as the Shankill UDA."
The move marks a final humiliation for Adair as he languishes in prison, stripped of all power and influence following a vicious loyalist feud.
At the height of his reign of terror, C Company was regarded as the most nakedly sectarian and violent branch of the UDA.
Dozens of Catholics were murdered by members of the hard-line grouping, security officials believe. But following a bitter power struggle, Adair's family and tiny band of supporters were driven out of C Company's stronghold in the Lower Shankill earlier this month. With UDA bosses vowing revenge for the murder of rival commander John "Grug" Gregg, Adair's family and associates fled to Scotland.
After a new leader was installed by the terror organisation in west Belfast, a stockpile of pipe-bombs was handed over to be destroyed by the police and army last week.
Days later, the UDA called a 12-month ceasefire across Northern Ireland and apologised for any involvement in drug dealing.
As the paramilitaries attempt to restore credibility they have now decided any link to Adair's reign will damage their efforts.
The statement insisted the decision was not reached lightly.
"We take this opportunity to pay tribute to those men and women who have died or served prison sentences fighting republicanism for C Company," it said.
"This is a new beginning for us all and we hope that we can work together with all our membership in the wider community to achieve this aim."
Mr Frank McCoubrey, an independent loyalist councillor in west Belfast, claimed the UDA had taken a positive step towards healing its bloody divisions.
"This is another step forward that the organisation in west Belfast has taken first and foremost to bring unity to the UDA." But Alban Maginness, an SDLP Assembly member in Belfast, described the move as little more than a stunt. ... - (PA)