Ousted paramilitary leader Johnny Adair issued a defiant message to his former comrades tonight as Belfast faced a new loyalist paramilitary feud.
As fears of a feud intensified, police warned Ulster Defence Association commanders their lives were under threat following a decision to expel Adair.
The west Belfast UDA boss was kicked out for refusing to side with other so-called brigadiers in a vicious dispute with the rival Loyalist Volunteer Force.
But Adair tonight claimed rank-and-file loyalists were backing him. He said: "West Belfast is united on this."
Earlier, a demand was made for east Belfast, south Belfast and south-east Antrim UDA brigadiers to quit their posts.
The Red Hand Defenders - a grouping widely believed to be a cover for the LVF and Adair's unit - called on three commanders to resign or face "military action".
The threat came less than 24 hours after Adair was dumped by his colleagues in Northern Ireland's largest loyalist paramilitary organisation.
PA