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The president of the London Outlaws motorcycle club has walked away from a charge of organizing a hit on a member of the rival Hells Angels, The Free Press has learned.

The Crown withdrew the charge against Ryan Daigneault, 42, Thursday, one week before he was supposed to go to trial for counselling to commit murder.

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Related firearm charges against co-accused Daniel Tranquair, 31, also were withdrawn.

The sudden release of Daigneault could change the already shifting biker landscape in Southwestern Ontario, with police warning recently of increased tensions between the two clubs.

The Hells Angels will not be pleased Daigneault was freed and will push for retribution, they say.

“The Hells Angels will lose credibility if nothing happens,” one longtime Outlaw biker said.

“This is a serious matter. There have been threats on both sides. This could be dangerous for the public, if it gets out of hand.”