Postal deliveries throughout Northern Ireland were being suspended again today as the Communication Workers Union continued efforts to have death threats against its members lifted.
But the union is expected to examine closely a statement by loyalist terror group the Ulster Freedom Fighters condemning the death threats against Catholic teachers and postal workers.
In its statement the UFF leadership called on the Red Hand Defenders to stand down within 14 days or suffer the consequences.
The Red Hand Defenders, which issued the threat last weekend, is regarded as a cover name used by the UFF and the Loyalist Volunteer Force to carry out acts of violence.
But in its statement the terror group denied it had ever used any other name as a flag of convenience and claimed the actions of the Red Hand Defenders were a deliberate attempt to undermine loyalism.
"We will not tolerate any longer the damage that you are doing to the loyalist cause and to the reputation of the UFF."
Mr John White, former chairman of the defunct Ulster Democratic Party, which was linked to the UFF and its sister organisation the Ulster Defence Association, said he believed the statement was genuine.
But he accepted that many people would view it with disbelief as the East Antrim Brigade of the UDA claimed responsibility for the murder of 20-year-old Catholic postal worker Danny McColgan at a Royal Mail sorting office at the weekend.
"I'm still of the view that the UDA is still committed to its ceasefire," he said. "I know that is a contradiction. I'm not absolutely certain why this murder occurred but I'm confident there isn't going to be an escalation of violence."
"I think this statement confirms that the threat against postal workers or any other workers was ludicrous. I think it was hyped up because the UDA killed that young fellow."
Sinn Fein North Belfast Assembly member Mr Gerry Kelly said the UFF's statement would be viewed with scepticism by the nationalist community.
"If this is the UFF leadership calling on the Red Hand Defenders to withdraw these threats, then we will wait and see what they do about it. `We have to remember that the UFF are the people that killed that killed Daniel McColgan. They need to be saying that they aren't going to carry out any more attacks against innocent Catholics," he said.
Meanwhile, police have released without charge one of the two men who was being questioned in connection with the murder of Mr McColgan.
Mr Tommy Kirkham, a former Ulster Democratic Party member and now an independent unionist member of Newtownabbey Council in Co Antrim, returned home last night after being questioned for more than 24 hours.
Mr Kirkham said he had no comment to make other than he was totally innocent.
It is not yet known whether last night's UFF statement will change the decision by postal workers throughout Northern Ireland not to return to work until the threat of death hanging over them was lifted.
Leaders of the Communication Workers made the decision following yesterday's funeral of Mr McColgan.
The union's general secretary Mr Billy Hayes is seeking talks with the British Prime Minister and Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid to obtain support in getting the threat lifted.
A special meeting of the union's executive will be held in London on Thursday to discuss the crisis.
PA