DUP minister defends meeting group linked to paramilitaries

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons defended meeting the Loyalist Communities Council earlier this month

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has defended meeting a group linked to loyalist paramilitaries and denied prioritising the talks over other organisations.

It followed his meeting earlier this month with the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) which includes representatives from paramilitary groups the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

The minister faced questions about the meeting when he appeared before the Communities Scrutiny Committee on Thursday.

He told MLAs (assembly members) the LCC represented those who want to move away from paramilitary activity and he wanted to show them what can be achieved through politics.

'No role for paramilitaries'

The minister told the committee that "trying to help people move on does not mean you are endorsing what they are doing".

He added: “I respect the fact that some people will have a different position than me but I believe there is a duty on me to support those who are sincere about moving elements away from criminality.”

Lyons said the meeting focussed on deprivation and housing and he made it clear at the outset that the “democratic process is the way we deal with issues today".

He insisted there is “no role for paramilitaries but there is a role for those committed to bringing groups along and I think they should be helped".

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong challenged Lyons over meeting the group who she said represented those who had threatened Housing Executive staff and forced people out of their homes.

“Did you ask them to stop this activity?” she said.

In response the minister said: “This activity needs to stop and there is no place for it in our society."

He was also questioned by SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan about meeting the LCC ahead of other groups.

Lyons denied that he prioritised meeting the LLC ahead of other organisations who had requested talks but were turned away.

He said he had received a total of 763 invitations from groups to attend events and meetings since taking up office and he had accepted 395 of those.

The minister also revealed he plans to meet the GAA next Thursday to discuss the redevelopment of Casement park in Belfast.

Earlier this month, DUP MLA and Education Minister Paul Givan faced criticism for meeting with the LCC, having declined 205 meetings with other groups and organisations.

Speaking to the BBC's the View programme on Thursday, Givan said the LCC "want communities to have education and that was the basis on which they came to see me".

When asked if he thought loyalist paramilitaries could be considered powerful role models that boys and young men should be looking to, he replied "absolutely not".