The group would like to offer our deepest sympathy to the Smith family on the passing of our friend and comrade William Smith, after a short illness. He was 62 years young.

William, affectionately known as “Plum” played a key role in the peace process being an ex chairperson of the Progressive Unionist Party and having been central to the process which brought the historic step of the Combined Loyalist Military Command ceasefire in 1994, chairing the press conference that announced the move. He was later part of the PUP delegation for the talks leading to the Good Friday Agreement.
William was at the forefront of negotiating and bringing loyalist groups into the peace process and politicising the Red Hand Commando and UVF.

A man true to his cause, it wasn’t for glory nor riches he fought, but for his people. They don’t make them like Plum anymore.
Lest we forget – Lamh Dearg Abu