Any British government move to buy a €300,000 home belonging to top loyalist John White could be fought in the courts, it was claimed tonight.
Fears have arisen that the luxury home in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, may be bought by the state-run Housing Executive under the Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings scheme for victims of intimidation.
White fled the property for Scotland three weeks ago with supporters of jailed loyalist Johnny Adair after a bloody loyalist feud.
Politicians reacted furiously after it emerged the double-murderer could receive a substantial payout of taxpayers' money if an application to the scheme proved successful.
They instead called for the new Assets Recovery Agency to seize his property.
Sinn Féin north Belfast councillor Mr Eoin O'Broin said: "Any purchase by the Housing Executive of John White's €300,000 house under SPED would smack of hypocrisy.
"A significant amount of applicants have been refused inclusion to the scheme despite being the victim of sectarian attacks and intimidation.
"If the Housing Executive were to proceed with the purchase of Mr White's house they would be leaving themselves open to a judicial review."
Alliance Party East Antrim MLA Sean Neeson said: "I would be very, very concerned indeed if John White was accepted on to this scheme when I look at the number of Catholic people and policing personnel who have been forced out of Carrickfergus.
"Some of those families had great difficulty in finding new houses, while in many ways John White brought his own problems on himself."
He added: "I have no doubt, however, that if the house came on to the market, there would be considerable interest. It is a very attractive piece of property, overlooking Carrickfergus and Belfast Lough."
Ulster Unionist East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs said: "I think the SPED scheme would be entirely inappropriate in relation to this particular house.
PA