John Gorman cleared of plotting to kill ex-UDA men

Former UDA leader Johnny Adair was the alleged target of a murder plot

One of four men accused of plotting to kill two former UDA leaders in Scotland has walked free after prosecutors withdrew all charges against him.

John Gorman, 58, was cleared of conspiring to murder Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair and Sam McCrory.

At the High Court in Glasgow, he was also cleared of being part of a plan to murder the governor of Barlinnie jail.

Three others, Anton Duffy, 39, Paul Sands, 31, and Martin Hughes, 36, deny terror-related charges against them.

Advocate depute Paul Kearney, prosecuting, told the jury on Wednesday: "I am withdrawing the libel against Mr Gorman."

He also withdrew the charges against Gary Convery, 34, who was accused of organised crime charges.

Outside court Mr Gorman's solicitor, Aamer Anwar, said: "All charges against Mr Gorman have now been withdrawn. He wishes to thank me, his solicitor, counsel Edward Targowski QC and Sarah Livingstone for their representation on his behalf.

"After 38 days of trial, Mr Gorman stands clear from any criminal charges. However, no further statement can be made at this time due to ongoing proceedings."

The court has already heard that Mr Adair and his best friend Mr McCrory were both former members of prohibited Loyalist terror organisations the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and its paramilitary wing the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF).

Religious beliefs

They were involved in the Good Friday agreement in 1998 which brought peace to Northern Ireland, and both have been living in Ayrshire for a number of years.

Mr Gorman was detained and questioned by police on 30 October 2013 in connection with alleged terrorism offences.

He was asked by police officers about religious beliefs and replied: "One half of my family support Celtic and the other half support Rangers. We have never done any bigotry in my house."

When he was asked again about his religion, Mr Gorman said: "Protestant. My daughter went to a Catholic school and my son to a Protestant school. I just went with what the best school was."

Later in the interview Mr Gorman, who is known by the nickname Piddy, said: "I can't believe I'm in here for terrorism. I don't know where this information is coming from."

The jury also heard that Mr Gorman's home in Irvine was searched by police for eight hours and no literature connected in any way with the Troubles in Ireland was found there.

The trial against Mr Duffy, Mr Hughes and Mr Sands on charges of terrorism and plotting to murder Mr Adair and Mr McCrory continues.

Mr Duffy is also accused of plotting to murder the governor of Barlinnie Derek McGill.

They deny all the charges against them.