Haddock ‘is not spilling the beans’
By David Gordon
07 June 2006
Speculation that senior loyalist Mark Haddock will provide evidence against former paramilitary associates was last night rubbished by a friend of the ex-UVF commander.
The friend also told the Belfast Telegraph that Haddock says he does not blame the UVF leadership for last week’s attempt on his life.
He instead believes the gun attack was ordered by the terror organisation’s local brigadier - a prominent loyalist figure who, like Haddock, has been accused of being a police Special Branch informer.
Haddock (37), was shot six times in an ambush in the Mossley area of Newtownabbey on May 30.
He was left critically ill, but his condition has continued to improve over the past week, prompting speculation about his next moves.
Haddock is awaiting a judge’s verdict from his trial on a charge of attempting to murder Ballyclare pub doorman Trevor Gowdy.
His friend, who did not want to be named, last night said the loyalist wants to leave Northern Ireland.
“He does not want any reprisals or revenge for the shooting. He wants to put everything behind him,” he said.
Rejecting speculation about Haddock coming clean to police about the UVF, the ally said: “Mark has not fingered anyone to the police and he is not going to finger anyone.”
The friend added that Haddock was certain the attempt on his life was not sanctioned by the UVF’s overall leadership, based on the Shankill Road.
He said he believes the gunmen were sent out by the UVF’s brigadier.
This individual is believed to be one of a number of police informers in the UVF in north Belfast.
