A member of the Conservative Party's Northern Ireland shadow team was visiting interface areas in Belfast and meeting loyalist representatives today.
Mr Crispin Blunt was touring areas which have been engulfed in sectarian clashes in recent months.
Mr Blunt, who on Saturday is due to extend his visit to areas of north and south east Antrim which have also seen sectarian division, was being accompanied by members of the Ulster Political Research Group which has close association with loyalist paramilitary groups.
It was during a recent meeting with the group in east Belfast that Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid had talks with loyalist chief Johnny Adair.
UPRG member Mr Frankie Gallagher, a Castlereagh councillor and prominent community worker, said the visit by Mr Blunt was recognition of the group's efforts and hard work in recent months to quell trouble at the interfaces.
The group had put out analysis and views that people could identify with, he said.
The visit by the Northern Ireland spokesperson, who is MP for Reigate, "is not only a boost but also justification of what we have been doing".
He said there was general belief across the interfaces "that the recent violence is being orchestrated and co-ordinated by members of Sinn Féin and the IRA".
PA