Johnny Adair cleared the first hurdle yesterday in his legal battle to obtain Christmas parole. In the High Court in Belfast the former UFF leader was given leave to seek a judicial review of the Northern Secretary's decision to keep him in Maghaberry Prison. The case will be heard on Monday.
Adair (38) was returned to prison in August last year after the former Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, held that he had breached the terms of his licence following his release under the Belfast Agreement.