THE DUP has met the leadership of both the UDA and the UVF in an effort to get the loyalist paramilitary organisations to lay down their guns, it has been revealed.
A delegation of party leader Peter Robinson, deputy leader Nigel Dodds and MPs Jeffrey Donaldson and Sammy Wilson held separate meetings with both the armed groups in Belfast on Thursday.
One of those present at the UDA meeting was south Belfast l
eader Jackie McDonald, who is widely seen as the de facto chief of the organisation.
Mr Robinson said: "These meetings represent an opportunity to engage and discuss the process of transition from paramilitary organisations to people playing a full part in a peaceful and democratic Northern Ireland with violence and criminality being firmly a thing of the past.
"The DUP has always been of the view that Northern Ireland needs to move forward without paramilitary structures and where future intentions are firmly rooted in exclusively peaceful and democratic pursuits.
"The response from both the UDA and the UVF/Red Hand Commando has been positive and there was a commitment to an ongoing engagement.
"Where needed, the DUP will assist in developing and completing this process."
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said: "We feel the time is right to have an engagement with loyalist groups as it is essential that they complete the transition from paramilitary organisations to people involved in the normal life of our country.
"We had a useful discussion with both groups and there was a positive response so we're hopeful further engagement will help move the situation forward."
Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey stopped short of praising the DUP move but said the UUP had continuously worked to get rid of weapons.
"I'm in the middle of arranging similar meetings and we have kept up contact over the last number of years.
"We pioneered and led the way, and while it was unpopular at the time, I believed it was right."
Sir Reg said he thought loyalists were finally waking up to the realisation that guns had to go, before the international decommissioning body is wound up.
"I think we're very much at that stage because once the decommissioning body stands down – perhaps as soon as early next year – we are back to ordinary criminal law and that leaves them extremely vulnerable."
Sir Reg said if the devolution of policing and justice powers did take place the situation could get even more complicated.
"If they hang on to weapons and Stormont takes control, it's going to create an enormous problem."
The SDLP's Alban Maginness said: "The SDLP has never shied away from the need for full decommissioning by all groups.
"I am heartened that the DUP is now beginning to act on this issue."
Traditional Unionist Voice MEP Jim Allister attacked the party for meeting members of illegal organisations and said the UDA and UVF should be "hunted down by the state".
Mr Allister said: "Self-styled loyalist terrorists – like their Republican counterparts – should be hunted down by the forces of the state, not courted by government ministers.
