A NORTH Down UDA leader who is also chief executive of a publicly-funded community group has been recorded boasting about the "brilliant" work carried out by loyalist groups.
Charter NI boss Dee Stitt also describes loyalist flute band North Down Defenders as "our homeland security".
"It says it in its name, we are here to defend north Down," the convicted armed robber says in a video produced by the Guardian. "From anybody," he adds, laughing.
Charter NI and Stitt are at the centre of a row over £1.7 million funding for the east Belfast group from Stormont's Social Investment Fund (SIF).
The funding is to manage an employment project based in the area but there are concerns that the UDA remains involved in criminality and intimidation in north Down.
The loyalist was pictured last month with DUP leader and First Minister Arlene Foster following the announcement of the Charter NI funding. The project aims to get at least 300 people into employment over a three year period at a cost to the public purse of around £5,666 per person.
The DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly has previously defended the funding, saying there is a "system of checks and balances" that ensured the money was used appropriately.
A statement from the party yesterday said it was committed to "building a stronger, better Northern Ireland" and that included encouraging organisations and people within communities to move away from their past.
However, a spokesman said "words and actions go hand in hand".
"The DUP firmly believe that if there is any criminal activity, the police should be informed and should investigate it," the spokesman continued.
"Criminality has no role in the new Northern Ireland we seek to build and we will not support any organisation who are involved in criminal activity."
In the video interview, the Charter NI chief executive claims loyalist groups help keep loyalist estates free of drugs.
He says loyalist paramilitaries and community workers do "brilliant" work in their communities.
"There is always inter-community violence. In normal society there is always going to be big guy... working class housing estates, it's a jungle," Stitt says.
Asked if the British government does enough to combat the violence he refers to, the Charter NI boss replies: "The British government doesn't give a f***ing f*** about us."
He goes on to say that some people see paramilitary grouping structures as "negative".
"Loyalist groupings are doing some brilliant work, they are involved in community development, running flute bands," he says.
"Loyalist groups and loyalist community leaders keep drugs out of our communities full stop, period. It's not here."
SDLP assembly member Nichola Mallon said she was disturbed by Stitt's comments.
“Anyone who has watched or read the comments made by Mr Stitt in this interview with the Guardian will come away with a very negative picture of Northern Ireland," she said.
"The fact that he refers to working class areas as jungles is deeply offensive especially when it comes from the CEO of a grass roots community organisation.
"There is good work being done by individuals within Charter NI and that must be recognised but is it appropriate for the CEO of an organisation in receipt of almost £2 million in public money to be making this type of public comment?"
