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An umbrella group involving loyalist paramilitaries is warning “all unionists and loyalists against voting for Alliance Party candidates”.

In a statement issued on its website, the Loyalist Communities Council also said that unionists can win back South Belfast on Thursday if there is a “maximum turnout of the unionist electorate”.

The LCC was set up, with the backing of former Tony Blair aide Jonathan Powell, in 2015 to tackle criminality, educational under-achievement and “loyalist disenfranchisement” in politics.

The body and its goals were signed up to by representatives from the three main loyalist paramilitary groups - the UVF, the UDA and the Red Hand Commando.

Today’s statement, which was later dismissed by Alliance as "absurd", comes in the wake of a row between Sinn Fein and the DUP over the DUP’s relationship with the UDA.

Last week, Arlene Foster was criticised by Sinn Fein MLA John O’Dowd for meeting with UDA chief Jackie McDonald in South Belfast just days after the murder in Bangor of Colin Horner.

The Ulster Political Research Group, which provides political advice to the UDA, has endorsed the DUP’s Emma Little Pengelly for the South Belfast constituency.

In its statement, the Loyalist Communities Council “urges every unionist and loyalist voter to ensure they turn out and vote for unionist candidates in the forthcoming general election”.

They add: “Sinn Fein, and the other anti-unionist parties are seeking to capitalise on the uncertainty created by the collapse of the Stormont Executive, and the impending Brexit negotiations to move Northern Ireland away from the United Kingdom. This will only succeed if unionists fail to register their votes for unionist candidates.

“The LCC deplores the unwillingness of the main unionist parties to co-operate to maximise unionist representation at Westminster. In constituencies where there is a risk of losing a seat to republicans, we ask that unionists vote for the unionist candidate most likely to win that seat.”

The LCC then offers “the following guidance” - that in Fermanagh South Tyrone “we ask that every unionist votes for Tom Elliott”; in North Belfast, Nigel Dodds; in East Belfast, Gavin Robinson and in South Belfast “we ask that every unionist votes for Emma Pengelly”.

They add: “If there is a maximum turnout of the unionist electorate not only will three unionist seats be protected but a fourth (South Belfast) will be won back for Unionism.”

And in a no-holds-barred attack on the Alliance party, they add: “The LCC particularly warns all unionists and loyalists against voting for Alliance Party candidates.

“Many unionists think they can retain their unionism yet vote for Alliance candidates. They are sorely mistaken in that belief. No party does more to undermine the Britishness of Northern Ireland, and foment community mistrust and division than the Alliance Party.

“Any unionist who votes for the Alliance Party is driving a nail into the coffin of the Union. This Party must be rejected at the polls by all unionists and loyalists.”

Responding to the statement, the Alliance Party said that “in sharp contrast to the DUP, who appear content to accept the endorsement of paramilitaries, Alliance is satisfied to accept their rejection of our principled and consistent stand for the rule of law and against all terrorism”.

A spokesman added: “It is now incumbent on those named and their parties to make clear whether they welcome this endorsement from paramilitary groups, including those still actively engaged in terrorism and criminality, or whether they reject it and repudiate the organisations behind it.

“Alliance will continue to work for people right across our community, including those from a unionist or loyalist background, who often suffer at the hands of these groups. We are determined to stand in opposition to all paramilitarism regardless of its source.

“This absurd statement shows not only the dearth of political analysis within loyalist paramilitaries at this time, but highlights clearly which parties are really willing to take on and challenge paramilitaries, and which are happier to chase and foster their support.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann rejected the support.

He said: "The Ulster Unionist Party is a party of law and order.

"We have not asked for the support of paramilitary organisations nor do we want the backing of organisations still engaged in paramilitary or criminal activity.”

The move came after former leader, Mike Nesbitt also rejected the LCC's statement in a tweet on Monday night.