UUP ‘must sever loyalist links’
Sylvia Hermon is the Ulster Unionists’ only MP
The Ulster Unionists must sever formal assembly links with the Progressive Unionists, its only MP has said.
Sylvia Hermon told the News Letter the relationship was not sustainable because of ongoing activity by the UVF, to which the PUP is connected.
Lady Hermon warned the party had become “a hostage to fortune”.
She said she was unhappy both about the UVF’s refusal to disarm before autumn and the shooting of loyalist Mark Haddock, blamed on the paramilitaries.
The Ulster Unionists have come under widespread pressure after allowing Mr Ervine to join their assembly group.
Extra seat
The move would give them an extra ministerial seat at Sinn Fein’s expense if a power-sharing executive is formed.
At the time of the deal, Lady Hermon said the move caused her “great distress”, but added that it could prove to be worthwhile if it helped to deliver UVF decommissioning.
However, she said in her interview published on Friday that rather than any progress being made towards decommissioning, the UVF has restated it will not make any arms move before the government’s 24 November deadline for the restoration of devolution.
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey had insisted they had done the right thing, saying the long-term goal was to end loyalist paramilitarism.
