The British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Mandelson, today called for the reintegration of loyalism into normal politics after this week's feuding on the Shankill Road in Belfast. Mr Mandelson said his decision to imprison Ulster Freedom Fighters leader Johnny Adair had been to discourage others from returning to violence. The Secretary of State added that the fact that there were no crowds coming on to the streets to support Adair showed the limits of his influence.
Mr Mandelson also said the arrest of Adair gave a new opportunity to loyalist politicians. "What I think his removal does is clear the way for the differences between the different loyalist organisations to be settled peacefully. It is very important that loyalism, which has an important and legitimate role to play in Northern Ireland, is reintegrated properly into the political process," he said.
He acknowledged the situation in the Shankill was tense but he said, "We end the week better than we began it and certainly much better than I and others feared." Mr Mandelson also defended the early release programme which many have blamed for being behind the violence. He said only a small number of prisoners had reoffended and added, "Overwhelmingly the early-release prisoners support the peace process, they return to the community and they do not reoffend."
