Leading loyalist Johnny Adair was today granted the right to argue for a judicial review of a decision to keep him in prison.
Mr Justice Kerr said the convicted Ulster Freedom Fighters leader had an arguable case to apply at Belfast High Court for a judicial review of the Sentence Review Commission's decision in January to keep in prison.
Adair was returned to prison in August after a bitter feud erupted in the loyalist Shankill Road area of Belfast between UFF supporters and the rival Ulster Volunteer Force.
At the height of the feud, the then Northern Ireland secretary Mr Peter Mandelson revoked Adair's early release under the Belfast Agreement.
Adair is being held at Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn in County Antrim.
In January, the Sentence Review Commission changed a previous preliminary decision that Adair (37) should be freed on licence after fresh security evidence was presented to them.
Adair's lawyers argue that the Sentence Review Commission's decision contravenes European human rights legislation.
PA
