The Shankill faction of the Ulster Defence Association - using the name of the Red Hand Defenders - has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the double murder of John Gregg and Robert Carson in Belfast last night.
A friend of John Gregg, who led the UDA in South Antrim, said he may have been targeted because he was attempting to negotiate a deal with the rival group led by Johnny Adair.
It is the most serious incident so far in the loyalist feud.
John "Grug" Gregg headed the UDA in south-east Antrim, a unit which carried out several sectarian attacks. Based in Rathcoole, he had been convicted for shooting the Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams in 1984.
Gregg was one of the leaders who expelled Johnny Adair from the loyalist paramilitary group in September, although he was present when the Shankill Road commander was released from Maghaberry jail last May. Adair has since been returned to prison.
A Newtownabbey councillor and friend of Mr Gregg said he may have been targeted because he was trying to negotiate with the Adair faction to end the feud.
Killing appeared carefully planned
Last night's killing appear to have been carefully planned. John Gregg, his eighteen year-old son Stuart along with two other men had been in Scotland yesterday to watch a Glasgow Rangers football match.
Their movements on the ferry from Stranraer were being monitored apparently by supporters of the Shankill faction led by Johnny Adair.Shortly after the group left the ferry terminal, the taxi they were travelling in was ambushed.
Mr Gregg and another UDA member Robert Carson died. The taxi driver was critically wounded.
There were several other incidents overnight in the Greater Belfast area which it's thought were linked to the feud.
Four people have been killed in the loyalist feud since Christmas. The fear is that John Gregg's associates in the UDA will now be seeking to retaliate against the Adair faction.
