LOYALIST paramilitaries ending their ceasefire would "create misery" for ordinary working people in their communities, UUP leader Doug Beattie has warned.
Mr Beattie spoke out following reports the UVF and some within the UDA were considering reviewing the basis of their ceasefires as a result of recent mentions of joint authority in the north should power-sharing at Stormont fail.
The speculation follows last week's published letter from the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC), in which the umbrella group representing the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando warned support for the ceasefires has weakened due to the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The UUP leader said in a tweet on Sunday that any return to violence by loyalists would "create misery for the ordinary, beleaguered working class in our society, in their own community, just struggling to work and provide for their families".
His post followed a statement on the LCC letter in which he said "a section of unionism is condemned to keep repeating the mistakes of the past".
He added: "The Ulster Unionist Party totally rejects any notion of moving back to pre-ceasefire days and will resist anyone who seeks to take us back there. The days of men and women being sent to fill jail cells or early graves in this country should be over. Peace and political process are the only way to advance our argument, be in no doubt of that."
The PSNI has said it "will continue to monitor the situation" following the LCC letter.
