The Ulster Democratic Party, which represents the Ulster Defence Association, has condemned the Review Commission's ruling to keep Johnny Adair in jail.
The party's chairman, Mr John White, said the commissioners "got it totally wrong". He added: "We will be going for a judicial review. I feel the decision has been overturned on the basis of evidence given in camera, which is totally unfair. It's another form of internment without trial."
Adair's wife Gina refused to comment. Supporters put up "Free Johnny Adair" posters at the UDP's Lower Shankill office and at the former UDA leader's home.
The Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, welcomed the ruling. Mr Mandelson revoked Adair's early-release licence after receiving information that the UDA man was instrumental in starting the loyalist feud and raising sectarian tensions in Belfast last August. Mr Mandelson said the decision was an endorsement of his judgment to have Adair sent back to prison at the outbreak of the loyalist feud, which left seven men dead in Belfast.
The SDLP said the commissioners had made the correct decision. A senior party MLA, Dr Alasdair McDonnell, called on the UDP not to overreact by calling street protests. "Given the tension between loyalist paramilitaries, the last thing we need is to bring people on to the streets as it would quickly descend into violence," he said.
The Alliance Party leader, Mr Seamus Close, appealed to loyalists to "accept the ruling, act responsibly and not take to the streets". The British Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman, Mr Andrew Mackay, described the ruling as "common sense", saying Adair should not have been released under the early-release scheme in the first place.