It is a question that has been asked many times, but 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement and almost three decades since their ceasefires, why is the existence of loyalist paramilitary groups still tolerated?
A focus has again been placed on the continuing threat posed by the UVF, UDA and others after the chair of the Loyalist Communities Council was quizzed on reports that paramilitaries were prepared to bring violence to the streets if the Irish Sea border is not removed.
David Campbell rejected the report but said the "credible threat is if unionism and loyalism is continually undermined; if the basis of the ceasefires that were agreed in 1994 are undermined, that is where we enter a period of real problems for Northern Ireland. But none of us are contemplating that".
The suggestion that loyalist paramilitaries are observing any meaningful ceasefire is of course offensive to the many people killed or maimed by armed groups since 1994 as well as countless victims of their organised criminality.
Were they to formally break their ceasefires, it is also hard to imagine where their violence would be directed. There is no 'war' to fight with the IRA and attacks on buses or violence at interfaces will only bring misery to their own communities and result in more young people being criminalised.
The LCC was set up in 2015, on the 21st anniversary of the announcement of a loyalist cessation of violence, with the commendable aim to provide a voice for marginalised communities and help the transition away from paramilitarism.
But since then there has been little evidence that illegal groups are disbanding; in fact, some have been actively recruiting, with a security assessment in 2020 suggesting there may be 12,500 members across the north.
Despite this the LCC has enjoyed privileged access to both unionist politicians and government ministers.
While it is right that politicians consult with community representatives, there is no place for armed gangs involved in extortion and drug dealing in the political process and engagement with those who speak on their behalf only risks lending them legitimacy.
A clear repudiation of any threat of violence by DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and the TUV yesterday was welcome.
However, the time is long past for loyalist paramilitaries to leave the stage and that message must now be communicated loud and clear to the LCC.
