Loyalist Communities Council Informs Minister Lyons of “Lacking” Progress in Deprived Areas

The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) communicated to the communities minister that efforts to address deprivation in loyalist areas had demonstrated “lacking” progress. Representatives from the LCC convened with Gordon Lyons, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Minister for Communities, during October. A record of the meeting between the LCC and Minister Lyons, held on 9 October, has been released by the Department for Communities (DfC) following a Freedom of Information request. This encounter with Minister Lyons occurred subsequent to criticism directed at Paul Givan, another DUP minister, for his own meeting with the LCC, where the group expressed opposition to a proposed Irish language school in east Belfast. The LCC comprises individuals representing the paramilitary organizations, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). The official DfC record of the meeting with Minister Lyons indicated that the purpose of the LCC’s gathering was “to discuss economic and social deprivation”. According to the note, David Campbell, the LCC chair, was present alongside loyalist figures Jackie McDonald, Robert Williamson, and Darren Richardson. The note stated that Mr. Campbell “thanked the minister for agreeing to meet despite the controversy surrounding the recent meeting with the minister for education”. He articulated that the objective of the discussion was “to discuss community development and addressing deprivation in loyalist areas”. Mr. Campbell further asserted, “Progress in this area has been lacking.” The LCC also brought up concerns regarding insufficient social housing, “the effect of communities feeling isolated,” and educational underachievement, especially among males. Furthermore, the LCC highlighted “specific impediments to joining certain professions” when a family member possesses a criminal conviction. According to the meeting record, Minister Lyons indicated he would assess “if this could be raised politically with the UK government”. The note additionally reported that the minister “stated his commitment to working with people who are committed to transitioning to peaceful, political, and democratic processes”. Both Minister Givan and Minister Lyons had drawn criticism for engaging with the LCC while simultaneously refusing to meet with other organizations.