Violence which broke out in Co Antrim at the weekend in which a PSNI officer was shot, is coming from "the new LVF," it was claimed yesterday.
Six people have since been arrested and weapons have been recovered. Frankie Gallagher, spokesman for the loyalist Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), which is seeking a political path for the UDA, denied the trouble in Carrickfergus on Saturday night amounted to a feud between sections of the UDA.
"The violence is coming from one side," he said. "This is the new LVF. This is a criminal element that are out there to do one thing - get political cover . . . to keep their booty, to get away with their crimes and exist in our community."
The Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) was headed by Billy Wright, who was shot dead by the INLA in the grounds of the Maze prison in 1997. It was thought to have been stood down permanently on October 30th, 2005 after protracted feuding.
However, comments by policing board chairman Prof Sir Desmond Rea and First Minister Ian Paisley indicated they thought the violence in the Castlemara estate in Carrickfergus at the weekend was prompted by hostility between UDA factions.
"These feuds between so-called loyalists are a grave indictment upon their communities," Dr Paisley said. "I unreservedly condemn such acts. I would also like to extend my sympathy to the police officer who was shot on Saturday evening."
The officer's injuries are understood not to be life-threatening.
Sir Desmond said he was concerned about the tensions between rival factions of the UDA and would urge all those with influence within the community to help defuse tension and maintain calm in the area.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams denounced the shooting of the police officer.
Police were called to the Castlemara estate in Carrickfergus on Saturday night after a number of cars moved into the area and a stand-off involving up to 150 people ensued. The incident is thought to have been part of an effort to assert control over the area.
A new UDA "brigadier" has been installed in southeast Antrim, following a series of expulsions linked with alleged racketeering. A UPRG member has also been appointed for the area.
Six people have been questioned in connection with the violence and PSNI operations continued in the Carrickfergus area yesterday.
One man is being questioned about the officer's attempted murder, another was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and three others are being held under terrorist legislation.
The sixth person is being questioned about the attempted murder of another man who was taken to hospital after being stabbed.