PUP activist vows to continue despite attack

As the loyalist feud continued, a Co Antrim politician whose business was attacked said he would not be intimidated.

As the loyalist feud continued, a Co Antrim politician whose business was attacked said he would not be intimidated.

Mr William McCaughey, chairman of the Progressive Unionist Party's Ballymena branch, said his double-glazing business in the village of Ahoghill was attacked early yesterday morning.

Mr McCaughey said he found his office doused with petrol and with burnt papers on the floor but said the fire would not prevent him from working for the PUP.

"I have been involved in active loyalist politics for the last 30 years. I have served 16 years for activities which I deemed to be in defence of Northern Ireland. A broken window, some petrol, even a fire will not deter me from working for democracy and a pluralist and equal society in Northern Ireland," he said.

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In Belfast, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive said that 20 families in the Shankill area had asked to be moved since the start of the week. They said they had been made homeless through intimidation, primarily by the UDA.

One woman who did not wish to be named said they had been afraid since the paramilitary "festival" at the weekend and alleged that the UDA had read out a list of people it was telling to move out of the area.

Meanwhile, members of the Ulster Democratic Party, the political wing of the UDA, and neighbours and family of Johnny Adair have criticised the police search operation on his home after his arrest.

It is claimed that between 12 and 20 policemen searched the house laughing and joking. Witnesses also said that all the windows in the kitchen and a microwave were smashed.

An RUC spokeswoman would not comment on specific incidents but said that any complaints would be investigated.