Johnny Adair 'considering political move'

One of Northern Ireland's most notorious loyalist terror bosses is "seriously considering" standing for election to the Stormont Assembly next year, it was claimed today.

Convicted Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) leader Johnny Adair is said to be thinking about running for public office in order to "look after his area".

John White, a member of the Ulster Political Research Group and a close associate of Adair's, said he and several others had long been attempting to convince Adair that his future lay in politics.

Mr White, a former member of the now defunct Ulster Democratic Party, said Adair had always said he would not enter politics but after considerable encouragement he was considering what he could do to help his native area of the Shankill Road in west Belfast.

"It took some convincing but he is now seriously considering it. However, he still has not given a clear answer," he added.