Armed men in paramilitary clothing are believed to have been present when a UVF statement ordering the group’s alleged leadership in east Belfast to stand down was read out at several locations at the weekend.
It is understood Stephen ‘Mackers’ Matthews, the group’s alleged commander in east Belfast, was ordered to step aside at midnight on Sunday by the UVF’s Shankill Road-based leadership.
Members of the loyalist group were told about the decision to oust Matthews during a series of Remembrance Day events held in loyalist areas earlier that day.
It is understood that armed men in paramilitary attire were present when the statement was read out in some districts.
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East Belfast UVF leadership ordered to stand down by hierarchy
UVF members told to step up security
It is believed the UVF statement was delivered by senior figures in each local area.
The UVF’s east Belfast unit, which takes in a large part of north Down, has been linked to drug dealing and other criminality, including murder, in recent years.
Matthews denies any link to either criminality or the UVF.
Sources suggest he has been replaced by a veteran loyalist from the east of the city.
Academic Dr Aaron Edwards, author of 'UVF: Behind the Mask' said how the message was delivered is important.
“So, I think primarily the presence of paramilitary clad members flanking the…leadership figures in those areas is what we might refer to as propaganda of the deed.”
Dr Edwards added that there “is intent and capability there to really reinforce the view that this sort of activity, this sort of illicit criminal activity, will not be tolerated”.
He said loyalists believe the presence of arms “is less important than the message and how the message is being delivered”.
It emerged earlier this week that the UVF has urged key members to step up their personal security, although, it is suggested there are no immediate signs the UVF’s decision to remove the east Belfast leadership could ignite tensions.
Dr Edwards said the approach taken by the UVF leadership is not without risk.
“But of course, if you present it that way there’s a strong chance that those who are being challenged will respond in a similar fashion,” he said.
“Now, we haven’t seen that yet but sources in Belfast have intimated to me that it will take a little bit of time perhaps given what we have seen in the past. The reaction is not immediate, it can take days or weeks before they make a move and I think it is too early to tell really what that move might be.
“But certainly because of historical episodes in the past we may be looking at a possibility of a feud but of course nothing is certain.
“But in a way, standing down part of an organisation like that and then recommending or advising your people to step up their security suggests that there is in their mindset, in the mindset of the UVF central leadership, the possibility of a violent reaction and that’s why I think that’s important.”
A spokesman for the PSNI said it “does not comment on intelligence matters”.
“We remain committed to investigating all paramilitary groups within Northern Ireland,” it added.