NORTHERN IRELAND’S three main loyalist paramilitary forces vowed yesterday to combat criminality and sectarian violence in their ranks.

The Ulster Defence Association, Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando are supporting the formation of a Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) to promote social progress.

The LCC will focus on “law abiding responses to criminality,” as well as addressing loyalist “disenfranchisement” from the political process and increasing educational standards in loyalist communities.

“We eschew all violence and criminality,” said the joint declaration.

“If there are those who attempt to use current or past associations with our organisations to further criminality they will be disowned and should be aware that they will not be permitted to use the cover of loyalism.”

Communist Party of Ireland executive committee member Joe Bowers welcomed the development.

He said “respectable unionism” had exploited the paramilitaries but now admonished them for their bad behaviour.

“They are isolated, ostracised and marginalised,” Mr Bowers said. “They are located substantially in the Protestant working-class districts where there is educational underachievement and all the rest of what people are suffering under austerity.

“Among them are very genuine people who are are seeking an alternative to the legacy of political violence, and that should be supported.”

Irish Congress of Trade Unions assistant general secretary Peter Bunting added: “We welcome the fact that the LCC have rejected all violence and criminality, and their desire to work in their communities with the objective of eliminating social and economic difficulties which impact on working-class people.”