The British government's recognition of a loyalist paramilitary group's ceasefire is a risk worth taking, a junior minister insisted today.
With speculation mounting that the Ulster Defence Association will issue a statement on its future tomorrow during Remembrance Day, Northern Ireland Office security minister Mr Ian Pearson said the onus was on the loyalist group to prove it was genuine.
"They have got to walk the walk," he told a fringe meeting on security at the Ulster Unionist conference in Newcastle, Co Down. "We expect actions, not words.
"I strongly believe it is worth taking the risk." Mr Pearson said the decision yesterday by Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Paul Murphy to recognise the UDA ceasefire was based on an assessment of the recent report by the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) and discussions with the Ulster Political Research Group.
The IMC report said the Ulster Defence Association retained a capacity for violence and had been involved in a vicious sectarian attack on three Catholic men in August.
The organisation was also significantly involved in a range of crime activities including drugs. But the report also acknowledged that the UDA, like the Provisional IRA, during the summer had tried to keep peace on the streets during what could have been another tense Protestant marching season.
There is speculation the UDA will commit itself tomorrow to the peace process and may also promise an act of disarmament as proof of its good intentions. Mr Pearson dismissed claims that the Government was poised to give the UDA £3 million sterling to create private security firms.
Following a question from West Tyrone UUP member Ross Hussey, he insisted no money had been given to the UDA. What ministers were trying to do was move the organisation out of the jungle of paramilitarism, he said.