Thread by @EmmaVardyTV

The Loyalist Communities Council which represents loyalist paramilitary groups, is giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee today on the NI protocol, the recent rioting, and loyalist views on the Brexit arrangements..

Some lively discussions.../1

Chair @Simon4NDorset asks what's the difference between 'Unionist' and 'Loyalist'?

LCC's David Campbell says Loyalism largely represents working class unionists, others would perhaps deem loyalism to be unionists who have engaged more actively and not just politically. /2

@Simon4NDorset Former loyalist prisoner Jim Wilson says "We didn't want a border on the island of Ireland but we didn't want a border in the sea...but the threat of violence seems to win" (refers to politicians during Brexit negotiations who said checks at land border would lead to violence) /3

@Simon4NDorset "In my eyes as a Loyalist…they have made an easier route to a United Ireland, because we're tied in with the Irish republic and the EU, it makes it easier for the next steps. I feel I've been betrayed…you can't have the protocol and the Good Friday Agreement." /4

@Simon4NDorset Asked about the recent rioting in Northern Ireland, 19 year old Joel Keys says "I understand young people are frustrated, they don't know the details of the NI protocol, but they know something is wrong. Young people see on the ground that there's an injustice & an imbalance" /5

@Simon4NDorset Committee member @ClaireHanna asks a series of questions challenging the Loyalist Communities Council over its association with proscribed groups, saying paramilitary groups "hide behind banners", whilst making threats to journalists and being involved with criminality.../6

@Simon4NDorset @ClaireHanna LCC Chair David Campbell says they want to focus on transformation for those who've moved away from violence. That he doesn't believe loyalist paramilitaries are still recruiting. But says the NI Protocol "has driven a coach and horses" through the process of transformation /end