The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, has expressed concern about the state of the loyalist ceasefire and has appealed to loyalist politicians to use their influence to prevent a return to violence.
Her call comes after the PUP spokesman, Mr Billy Hutchinson, was quoted at the weekend as saying his party should no longer offer the UVF advice on whether to maintain its ceasefire, because the party was "gaining nothing". Recent attacks across the North have also fuelled fears of a feud between the UVF and the breakaway LVF.
Dr Mowlam was speaking yesterday after a meeting with RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan, and the British army chief of staff in the North, Brig Robin Brims. The question whether the IRA ceasefire should be regarded as genuine, thus clearing the way for Sinn Fein's entry into talks, was also discussed.
Dr Mowlam said: "I am concerned about the problems that the loyalists are facing. They've supported the ceasefire and I think their parties in the talks have been a constructive element." She said she would appeal to loyalist politicians "to continue to use their influence to encourage restraint by the various paramilitary groupings".
She denied, however, loyalist claims that republican prisoners were getting preferential treatment. "The accusation is that we have done more for one side than the other, but I don't think that is the case. I have treated prisoners of both communities fairly and justly across the board."
Dr Mowlam said she would announce her judgment on the integrity of the IRA ceasefire tomorrow or Friday.
The six-week period in which she was to assess if the ceasefire was genuine expires on Sunday.