27.10.04
BBC
UDA figures to meet Murphy
Senior members of the UDA leadership will be part of a loyalist delegation due to hold talks with the Northern Ireland Secretary in the next few days.
The BBC understands that the Ulster Political Research Group will meet Paul Murphy early next week.
BBC Northern Ireland security editor Brian Rowan said the planned talks were significant because of who will be involved.
The Ulster Political Research Group gives analysis to the loyalist paramilitary UDA, and the delegation that is due to meet Mr Murphy will include both political and paramilitary figures.
It is understood several of the UDA's most senior leaders will be involved, both from Belfast and Londonderry.
The timing of the talks is significant, coming as efforts continue to piece together a political deal, but there are risks for the government.
The UDA is a "specified" organisation, meaning that its ceasefire is not recognised, and the Independent Monitoring Commission is about to report on continuing republican and loyalist paramilitary activity.
The Northern Ireland Office has confirmed that Mr Murphy will meet both the Progressive Unionist Party and the Ulster Political Research Group next week, but a spokesman said they had no details on delegations at this time.
Other sources have confirmed to the BBC that senior paramilitary figures will be involved in the talks.
UDA figures to meet Murphy
Senior members of the UDA leadership will be part of a loyalist delegation due to hold talks with the Northern Ireland Secretary in the next few days.
The BBC understands that the Ulster Political Research Group will meet Paul Murphy early next week.
BBC Northern Ireland security editor Brian Rowan said the planned talks were significant because of who will be involved.
The Ulster Political Research Group gives analysis to the loyalist paramilitary UDA, and the delegation that is due to meet Mr Murphy will include both political and paramilitary figures.
It is understood several of the UDA's most senior leaders will be involved, both from Belfast and Londonderry.
The timing of the talks is significant, coming as efforts continue to piece together a political deal, but there are risks for the government.
The UDA is a "specified" organisation, meaning that its ceasefire is not recognised, and the Independent Monitoring Commission is about to report on continuing republican and loyalist paramilitary activity.
The Northern Ireland Office has confirmed that Mr Murphy will meet both the Progressive Unionist Party and the Ulster Political Research Group next week, but a spokesman said they had no details on delegations at this time.
Other sources have confirmed to the BBC that senior paramilitary figures will be involved in the talks.
