Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has stated that the Loyalist Communities Council should not be a forum to create division.
Mr Beattie said:
“Yet again unionism finds itself on the back foot because a statement from the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) sets an unwelcoming and menacing tone. If the LCC wants to have a positive influence, they should be surrounded by community groups, women’s and young people’s forums, residents groups, sporting clubs and local business representatives - not paramilitaries.
“Their aim should be to represent loyalism in order to bring people out of poverty, attract investment, deal with social housing and isolation. They must be a conduit for the loyalist community, its culture and its identity. It should not be a forum to create division or generate negativity.
“Unionism must engage more, not less and it must be confident, progressive and welcoming. It can deal with the serious issues that face us through firm, calm, reasoned engagement and legal protests.”