ANGER among loyalists is at its most intense since the 1994 ceasefires, according to PUP leader Billy Hutchinson – with tensions seemingly greater than a decade ago when violence erupted around the flag protests.
The Belfast councillor accused Sinn Féin, Alliance and the SDLP of not being "careful" with their language, as he claimed the three parties had "inflamed tensions".
His remarks followed a letter from the Loyalist Communities Council, an umbrella group representing elements of the UVF, UDA and Red Hand Commando, which raised the possibility that the groups would end their respective ceasefires.
Mr Hutchinson said he is concerned by what he termed "elements of the media" and nationalism in particular seeking to "disregard and castigate all loyalist voices".
"Any messenger which brings a message from unionism or loyalism that nationalism or the new ‘establishment’ finds unhelpful, is immediately subjected to demonisation and orchestrated demands they be de-platformed," he said.
The former UVF prisoner said loyalists were "angry".
"We are angry that the EU, the Irish government and a new generation of nationalists {who} have so flagrantly and arrogantly dismantled that which so many of us- on both sides of the divide- painstakingly built," he wrote on the Unionist Voice website.
He said "those outside" failed to understand the "pressures of maintaining peace in a post conflict community".
"The leaders of loyalist groups will be getting berated in the streets by their own community (from angry young men to pensioners) saying they have had enough," the PUP leader said.
"I know they will because I have seen it and moreover as a PUP negotiator in 1994 and 1998, I have been there. I have been subjected to rooms of loyalists and our own community shouting us down urging against compromise."
Insisting his words weren't "vacuous bluff ", Mr Hutchinson said he was pleading with "people in positions of power, particularly the two governments".
"I am deeply concerned about the direction of travel and an anger which is rapidly rising to a point whereby it will beyond the control of those working tirelessly to redirect it in productive ways," he said.
"And I also want to personally urge everyone in loyalism to remain calm. I understand the provocation and the anger. I share it. But lashing out violently is not going to change it or remove the injustices, it will just perpetuate them."
He said the basis of the 1994 ceasefires and support for the Good Friday Agreement had been "cut away from beneath us".
"I implore people to please listen now before it is too late," he said.
"Restore the delicate balance to the heart of our political and peace processes, and give our communities a chance."
