Police arrest loyalist gangs as local Unionists snub Trimble
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Your support makes all the difference.Police in Belfast continued their clampdown on loyalist paramilitary groups yesterday as the Ulster Unionist Party leader, David Trimble, received a personal setback in his own constituency.
The developments came as the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Murphy, met Sinn Fein to rebuild a peace process damaged by the suspension of the Belfast Assembly. It received another blow on Wednesday when the IRA said it was suspending contact with the arms decommissioning body.
Police swoops have been directed against both of the major loyalist groupings: the Ulster Volunteer Force and Ulster Defence Association.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said eight men with UVF links had been arrested in Co Down. A pistol, a shotgun and balaclavas were seized near the town of Holywood. He said: "This has put a major dent in their ability to make money. Frankly, I hope it puts the fear of God into them."
Mr McQuillan also drew attention to an undercover operation which on Wednesday led to the arrest of three UDA members in Belfast. He said they were senior members of the UDA and were being questioned over the alleged extortion of building contractors.
He said a team of 100 detectives had been set up to tackle paramilitary activity, with the top priority of putting terrorists behind bars. He added: "This isn't the end. We will come at these organisations every way we can, using everything at our disposal to bring them to justice."
On Wednesday night, meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist Party leader and former first minister, David Trimble, came second when his Upper Bann constituency association selected three candidates for Assembly elections. It will be a disappointment for the party leader, who would normally expect to finish top.
In last year's Westminster election, Mr Trimble was run uncomfortably close by a challenger from Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist party.
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness called yesterday on London and Dublin to convene all-party talks, as a matter of urgency. Mr Murphy is to meet all the local parties. He has the advantage of knowing the major players, having met them during a previous spell as a junior minister in Belfast.
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