Editing Loyalist feud (section)

===2013–date: North Belfast Brigade feud===
In 2013 it was reported in the ''[[Belfast Telegraph]]'' that the [[UDA West Belfast Brigade]] had become so associated with criminality and racketeering that the three other Belfast-based brigadiers, [[Jackie McDonald]] (South Belfast), [[Jimmy Birch]] (East Belfast) and [[John Bunting (loyalist)|John Bunting]] (North Belfast), no longer felt able to deal with the western leadership. Tensions had been further stoked by a graffiti campaign against Bunting's leadership on the [[Shore Road, Belfast|York Road]], in which expelled members of the North Belfast Brigade, who had come under the wing of their counterparts in the west, called for Bunting's removal as brigadier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/uda-finished-says-loyalist-paramilitary-terror-group-leader-29791310.html|title=UDA finished, says loyalist paramilitary terror group leader|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph |access-date=23 April 2018|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}</ref> The feud was confirmed in December 2013 when a UDA statement was released acknowledging the existence of a dissident tendency within the North Belfast Brigade but confirming support for Bunting's leadership. However, whilst the statement was signed by McDonald and Birch, no representative of the West Belfast Brigade had added their signature.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/as-uda-confirms-major-split-a-dangerous-tussle-for-power-is-now-brewing-29811472.html|title=As UDA confirms major split, a dangerous tussle for power is now brewing|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph |access-date=23 April 2018|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}</ref> The north Belfast rebels subsequently named Robert Molyneaux, a convicted killer and former friend of Bunting's closest ally John Howcroft, as their preferred choice for Brigadier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/uda-feud-escalates-over-bid-to-oust-north-belfast-brigadier-john-bunting-29821218.html|title=UDA feud escalates over bid to oust north Belfast 'brigadier' John Bunting|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph |access-date=23 April 2018|via=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}</ref> Bunting's opponents criticised his alleged heavy-handed approach, particularly towards Tiger's Bay residents, whilst his supporters claimed that Bunting's attempts to tackle the drugs trade in the area were the real reason behind the attempts to remove him.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= THE BRUTE BRIGADIER ; UDA POWER STRUGGLE RIVAL FACTIONS AT WAR Double Killer Is the Man Dissidents Want to Install as New UDA Chief in North Belfast |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]]  |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 8 December 2013 |first= Ciaran |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-35451743.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160229174649/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-35451743.html |archive-date= 29 February 2016 }}</ref>

As the feud rumbled on Bunting became a target for a number of attacks. In May 2014 Bunting was attacked in Tiger's Bay by a group of opponents. During the brawl Bunting was knocked unconscious and had his mobile phone stolen. Bunting had been visiting the home of one of his internal critics at the time of the incident.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Devlin |title= GRANNY CLAIMS UDA BOSS ATTACKED HER ; TERROR BOSS IN BRAWL NEW ALLEGATIONS Pensioner Says Bunting Threw Her to the Ground |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]] |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 25 May 2014 |first= Patricia |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-36087014.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160229182626/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-36087014.html |archive-date= 29 February 2016 }}</ref> In August 2014 as Bunting drove along Duncairn Gardens, a street separating Tiger's Bay from the [[Irish republicanism|republican]] [[New Lodge, Belfast|New Lodge]] area his car was damaged by a pipe bomb thrown at it.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= UDA FURY OVER BUNTING ATTACK ; HIT TENSION AMONG SPLINTER GROUPS Chiefs Threat of Retaliation on Rival Tigers Bay Faction |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]]  |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 10 August 2014 |first= Ciaran |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37056305.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160229193324/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37056305.html |archive-date= 29 February 2016 }}</ref> Tiger's Bay had emerged as the stronghold of the anti-Bunting faction.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= FEUD SPLITS THE UDA IN SHANKILL; ROW HEATS UP GROUP IN TURMOIL; Row Intensifies Following UDA Shooting at Home of Alleged Dissident Supporter |newspaper= [[Sunday Life (newspaper)|Sunday Life]] |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 17 August 2014 |first= Ciaran |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-378793077.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160223093936/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-378793077.html |archive-date= 23 February 2016 }}</ref>

Soon after the latter attack former North Belfast brigadier [[William Borland (loyalist)|William Borland]], who had become associated with the pro-Molyneaux wing, was attacked with a breeze block and shot in the leg close to his home in [[Ballysillan|Carr's Glen]]. Following the attack both Bunting and Howcroft were arrested on suspicion of involvement.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Fitzmaurice |title= Bunting and Pal Held in UDA Feud Shooting |newspaper= [[Daily Mirror]]  |access-date=  |date= 22 August 2014 |first= Maurice |url= https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-379541934 | url-access=| via=}}{{dead link|date=July 2021}}</ref> Along with another associate they were charged with attempting to murder Borland and [[Andre Shoukri]] and were remanded in custody.<ref name="exuda">{{Cite news |last= Murray |title= SHOUKRI SEEKS SINN FEIN MEET; EXCLUSIVE RIVAL FACTIONS AT WAR Ex-UDA Chief wants Probe into Murder Bid |newspaper= [[Sunday Life (newspaper)|Sunday Life]] |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 31 August 2014 |first= Alan |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-381309805.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160410062229/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-381309805.html |archive-date= 10 April 2016 }}</ref> As is standard within the UDA whilst in custody Bunting had to relinquish his role as brigadier although his replacement, a close friend of McDonald's from [[Taughmonagh]] in south Belfast identified only as the "Burger King Brigadier" due to his weight, has been reported as merely a figurehead with no actual power.<ref name="exuda"/> Subsequent reports indicated this brigadier had lasted only two weeks before McDonald replaced him with an unidentified former member of the [[Loyalist Volunteer Force]].<ref name="Big Mac">{{Cite news |last= Murray |title= Big Mac Sacks Burger King Brigadier |newspaper= [[Sunday Life (newspaper)|Sunday Life]]|access-date= 3 August 2017 |date= 7 September 2014 |first= Alan |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-381700088.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210426/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-381700088.html |archive-date= 23 April 2018 }}</ref>

In September 2014 it was reported in the ''Belfast Telegraph'' that the leaders of the UDA in North, East and South Belfast, as well as the head of the Londonderry and North Antrim Brigade had met to discuss the feud as well as the schism with the West Belfast Brigade. According to the report they agreed that West Belfast Brigade members loyal to the wider UDA should establish a new command structure for the brigade which would then take the lead in ousting [[Mo Courtney]], [[Jim Spence (loyalist)|Jim Spence]] and Eric McKee from their existing leadership positions. It was also stated that the West Belfast breakaway leaders had recruited [[Jimbo Simpson]], a former North Belfast brigadier driven out of Northern Ireland over a decade earlier, and were seeking to restore him to his former role.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= UDA Call an 'AGM' to End Faction Feuds |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]] |access-date= 18 September 2014 |date= 14 September 2014 |first= Ciaran |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37172833.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150328145504/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-37172833.html |archive-date= 28 March 2015 }}</ref> This followed the rejection of earlier overtures to West Belfast brigadier [[Matt Kincaid]] as he opted to back Spence and Courtney.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= UDA Chiefs' Unity Talks Are a Flop |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]] |access-date= 20 September 2014 |date= 2 February 2014 |first= Ciaran |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-35649096.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150328145502/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-35649096.html |archive-date= 28 March 2015 }}</ref>

The charges against Bunting were dropped in 2015 after a number of witnesses withdrew their statements, although Bunting did not return as brigadier, his place having been taken by "Big" Bill Hill, a dissident who had been prominent in the [[Belfast City Hall flag protests]].<ref>[http://www.sundayworld.com/news/northern-ireland/udas-big-bill-does-a-runner-as-feud-looms-spain-uda-tigers-bay UDA's 'Big Bill' does a runner to Spain as feud looms] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927202802/http://www.sundayworld.com/news/northern-ireland/udas-big-bill-does-a-runner-as-feud-looms-spain-uda-tigers-bay |date=2016-09-27 }}, ''[[Sunday World]]''</ref> However this new leadership also began a feud with the [[Ulster Volunteer Force]] (UVF) group in [[Shore Road, Belfast|Mount Vernon]], a move which was not endorsed by their previous allies in West Belfast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/2016/08/04/news/north-belfast-uda-on-their-own-against-mount-vernon-uvf-636519/|title=North Belfast UDA 'on their own' against Mount Vernon UVF|website=The Irish News|date=4 August 2016 |access-date=23 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029090823/http://www.irishnews.com/news/2016/08/04/news/north-belfast-uda-on-their-own-against-mount-vernon-uvf-636519/|archive-date=29 October 2016}}</ref> In August 2016 the new leader was reported as having fled to Scotland due to the threat of the Mount Vernon UVF.<ref name="boreland">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2016/08/07/news/man-shot-dead-in-north-belfast-641739/|title=Leading loyalist John Boreland shot dead in north Belfast|website=The Irish News|date=8 August 2016 |access-date=23 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013094151/http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2016/08/07/news/man-shot-dead-in-north-belfast-641739/|archive-date=13 October 2016}}</ref> John Boreland was shot dead soon after this.<ref name="boreland"/>

In October 2016 it was reported that South Belfast brigadier Jackie McDonald had installed Sam "Bib" Blair, a [[Whitewell Road|White City]]-based veteran who had been kneecapped by supporters of the Shoukris in 2003 after attempting to oust them from the leadership, as the new brigadier. Blair attempted to shore up his position by recruiting former allies of Bunting to his side, having reportedly been only sixth choice for the role with several more prominent figures turning down the job as a "poisoned chalice".<ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= BARMY BRIG ARMY BRIGADE ; EXCLUSIVE FEUD-RACKED GANG 'SACKED GANG'S NEW MANAGEMENT: New North Belfast UDA Brigadier Sam Bib Blair Assembles a Motley Crew as His Leadership Team after Murder of John Boreland |newspaper= [[Belfast Telegraph]]  |access-date= 22 June 2017 |date= 23 October 2016 |first= Ciaran |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-40162300.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210426/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-40162300.html |archive-date= 23 April 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= Barnes |title= Ex-Racketeer Is New Boss of UDA Faction |newspaper= [[Sunday Life (newspaper)|Sunday Life]] |access-date= 22 June 2017 |date= 9 October 2016 |first= Ciaran |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-465935651.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210427/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-465935651.html |archive-date= 23 April 2018 }}</ref> However, by June 2017 it was reported that the UDA in North Belfast had disintegrated into three sections: Blair's supporters, a group of dissidents in Tiger's Bay and a further group in Boreland's former stronghold of Ballysillan.<ref>{{Cite news |last= Allen |title= A Band of Thugs Riven by Infighting |newspaper= [[Sunday Life (newspaper)|Sunday Life]]|access-date= 22 June 2017 |date= 19 March 2017 |first= Tony |url= https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-486034666.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210426/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-486034666.html |archive-date= 23 April 2018 }}</ref>