Police in Portadown are expected to maintain a discreet presence in the area today for the funeral of the murdered loyalist, Mr Richard Jameson, shot dead outside his home a few miles from the town on Monday night.
A number of prominent loyalists from across the North are expected to travel to Portadown to take part in the funeral cortege which leaves Mr Jameson's home on Derryletiff Road at 1.30 p.m. today. It is anticipated they will be joined by hundreds of other people at the funeral service, which is being held in Tartaraghan parish church, a short distance from the Jameson home.
Already a number of senior loyalists are reported to have travelled from Scotland to the North to attend Mr Jameson's funeral. The UVF, of which it is alleged Mr Jameson was the mid-Ulster commander, has always had strong connections in Scotland, particularly in the Glasgow and central Scotland areas. Over the years strong links have been forged between Scotland and mid-Ulster.
Last night a loyalist source in the Glasgow area confirmed that a number of individuals were on their way to the Portadown area for the todays funeral.
"Richard Jameson was well respected in loyalist circles in the Glasgow area," the source said. "His killing has angered a lot of people here. Those attending the funeral will be making their views known on the matter to their counterparts in Ulster."
It is anticipated the security forces will be monitoring the movements of Scots loyalists who attend the funeral.
Tension remains high in Portadown following the murder. A number of individuals have been detained and are being questioned by the RUC. Those arrested are believed to be from the Portadown and Dungannon areas.
It is also reported that a number of individuals from the Portadown area have "gone to ground", fearing retaliation for Mr Jameson's death. Loyalists in other areas who are considered to be sympathetic to the LVF are also known to have increased their personal security following the murder.
In a statement last night the Loyalist Volunteer Force denied that any of its members had been responsible for the murder of Mr Jameson. The organisation said that speculation that he had been killed as a result of feud between the LVF and the UVF was wrong.