PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde today said he wanted Ihadb Shoukri returned to jail because he had breached the terms of his bail by consorting with paramilitary figures.
Sir Hugh said his officers had gone to court today to apply to have Mr Shoukri's bail revoked because the terms of his freedom had been gradually watered down by the courts against police wishes.
He said when Mr Shoukri, brother of UDA leader Andre, was first granted bail he was on a 7pm to 7am curfew, barred from entering Belfast and barred from mixing with known loyalists.
Mr Shoukri was among 11 people arrested last week after a raid on a bar near his home in north Belfast. Police allege those arrested were planning a loyalist show of strength.
Counsel for the Crown at Laganside Magistrates Court today said the defendant was not dressed in the paramilitary gear worn by some of the others but insisted police regarded him as a senior UDA member who was part of the meeting.
Mr Shoukri escaped arrest 18 month ago for being found in Belfast despite being banned by his bail conditions from the city.
Due to legal proceedings against a number of men arrested in the Alexander Bar, Sir Hugh said he was constrained in what he could say about the policing operation.
But he said: "This was a major operation, we were not visiting some teddy bear's picnic. Eleven people were charged with serious terrorist offences, and a further six or seven reported to the Crown Prosecution Service."