Ulster Unionist Party Westminster candidate for East Antrim, John Stewart, has reiterated his party’s support for strong policing measures to face down the threat to law and order from feuding paramilitary gangs.

John Stewart said:

“Law and order is an issue that has come up repeatedly on the doorsteps as we have campaigned across the constituency. There is no doubt that many people are concerned at the continuing existence of paramilitary crime gangs in parts of East Antrim.  More than that, the gangs which continue to exist, are still up to their necks in crime and violence.  The two recent brutal murders linked to a feud within South East Antrim are a stark reminder that they still have access to and will use deadly weapons.

“Former members of paramilitary groups have had every opportunity to turn away from crime and violence and to reintegrate themselves into society.  Those who are still involved and associated with paramilitary activity should be dealt with severely, under the law.  One thing is clear- there is no real ‘loyalism’ when it come to the various factions of the UDA which are still in existence.  They have long since disintegrated into criminal gangs awash with drugs.  There should be no toleration of a small group of criminals, some of whom have lavish lifestyles without any legitimate means of support.

“The only answer to paramilitary activity is a security one.  The security forces have had significant local successes in recent times.  These have included arrests in connection with the feud and the thwarting of a potential republican terrorist campaign through the discovery of arms caches at Capanagh Forest and Carnfunnock. 

“Recently I was part of a delegation of Ulster Unionists who met senior police in East Antrim. The PSNI know they have our full support in dealing with and rooting out the extortionists, arsonists, drug dealers and criminals who still blight parts of our community.  That has always been our position, it would be helpful if other parties had been equally unambiguous about the use and threat of violence over the years.”