The LVF has rejected any suggestion that it is considering calling a ceasefire. There had been speculation that some elements of the outlawed paramilitary organisation favoured a ceasefire strategy in the hope of obtaining the release of its prisoners under the terms of the Good Friday agreement.
A brief statement issued yesterday in Portadown, however, dismissed suggestions of a ceasefire as "Northern Ireland Office propaganda designed to promote the Yes vote strategy". A senior member of the LVF said "contrary to reports circulating in the media, the Loyalist Volunteer Force is not on a ceasefire. There is no ceasefire and there will be no ceasefire as far as the LVF is concerned.
"To suggest such is complete nonsense. We have already stated that the LVF is totally committed to the campaign to end Dublin involvement in Ulster's internal affairs. This campaign will continue. The LVF is pledged to destroy the all-Ireland process in all its aspects."
He claimed other "so-called loyalist groups" had "abandoned loyalism and embraced republicanism" by affirming their commitment to the Good Friday agreement. "The LVF will campaign to secure the Ulster people's rights to define their own Ulster and British national and cultural identity."