The Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid today held talks with leaders of the Loyalist Commission.
A spokesman for Dr Reid said he had met the chairman and vice-chairman of the Commission, both of whom are clergymen. However he stressed: "He [Dr Reid] did not meet any members of paramilitary organisations."
The Secretary of State has declared the UDA's ceasefire broken following a wave of attacks in north Belfast.
Dr Reid today confirmed he held face-to-face talks with the Loyalist Commission which was established last year to ease tensions among feuding loyalist paramilitary groups.
This body includes representatives from the UDA, the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Red Hand Commandos.
Protestant church and community leaders also sit on the body along with members of the Ulster Unionist Party.
"It's true that my officials have been speaking to representatives of the Ulster Political Research Group," said Dr Reid. "It's also true that I have met with representatives of the Loyalist Commission."
Referring to the UDA's claims that it has not broken its ceasefire, Dr Reid said: "I'm heartened by the fact that in recent weeks there appears to have been a diminution of the violence from the UDA and the loyalists' section of the community. That is something I have both noted and kept under review".
PA