Loyalist Communities Council
The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) in Northern Ireland is a loyalist group that includes representatives of the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando paramilitary groups. It was founded in 2015 in response to the perceived neglect of working class loyalists.[1]
In the 2017 UK general election the LCC issued a statement supporting the DUP and the UUP. However, this support was rejected by both parties.[2]
During the Brexit negotiations they said that they were "strongly opposed" to the proposed Withdrawal Agreement due to the treatment of the Irish border question.[3] In late February 2021 the DUP met with the LCC to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol.[4] In early March 2021 the LCC declared that, as a result of its opposition to the protocol, it was temporarily removing its support for the Good Friday Agreement.[5]
The LCC have repeatedly called for Unionist flags to be taken down outside the "marching season".[6]
References
- ^ Rutherford, Adrian (13 October 2015). "Loyalist Communities Council launched with backing of UDA, UVF and Red Hand Commando". belfasttelegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ "UUP and DUP reject Loyalist Communities Council's 'endorsement'". belfasttelegraph. 6 June 2017. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ "Brexit: Loyalist paramilitary representatives 'extremely hostile' to Theresa May deal". Belfast News Letter. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ O'Neill, Julian (26 February 2021). "NI Protocol: DUP meets Loyalist Communities Council". BBC News. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ "Loyalist group withdraws support for Good Friday Agreement". BBC News. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ Monaghan, John (29 September 2017). "Loyalist umbrella group calls for removal of flags after 'Ulster Day'". The Irish News. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
 | This Northern Ireland–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |