Editing Ulster Volunteer Force (section)

====2006–2010====
On 12 February 2006, ''[[The Observer]]'' reported that the UVF was to disband by the end of 2006. The newspaper also reported that the group refused to decommission its weapons.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,1708038,00.html |title=The Observer |publisher=Observer.guardian.co.uk |date=12 February 2006 |access-date=29 July 2009 |location=London |first=Henry |last=McDonald |archive-date=13 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313121852/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,1708038,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 2 September 2006, [[BBC News]] reported the UVF might be intending to re-enter dialogue with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, with a view to decommissioning of their weapons. This move came as the organisation held high-level discussions about its future.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/5306670.stm |date=2 September 2006 |access-date=29 July 2009 |publisher=BBC News |title=Empey heralds possible UVF move |archive-date=23 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923161229/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/5306670.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 3 May 2007, following recent negotiations between the [[Progressive Unionist Party]] (PUP) and Irish [[Taoiseach]] [[Bertie Ahern]] and with [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]] (PSNI) Chief Constable [[Sir Hugh Orde]], the UVF made a statement that they would transform to a "non-military, civilianised" organisation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6618365.stm |title=UVF Statement |publisher=BBC News |date=3 May 2007 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-date=17 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070917171448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6618365.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> This was to take effect from midnight. They also stated that they would retain their weaponry but put them beyond reach of normal volunteers. Their weapons stock-piles are to be retained under the watch of the UVF leadership.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0503/uvf.html |title=RTÉ News – Statement Imminent |publisher=RTÉ.ie |date=3 May 2007 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-date=2 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602205850/http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0503/uvf.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6618177.stm |title=Statement Imminent |publisher=BBC News |date=3 May 2007 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-date=18 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818042245/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6618177.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6618371.stm |title=Statement Released |publisher=BBC News |date=3 May 2007 |access-date=29 July 2009 |archive-date=9 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009024135/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6618371.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2008, the UVF was accused of involvement in [[vigilante]] action against alleged criminals in Belfast.<ref>Henry McDonald [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2239941,00.html Law and order Belfast-style as two men are forced on a 'walk of shame'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116095312/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2239941,00.html |date=16 January 2008 }}, ''The Observer'', 13 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2008.</ref>

In 2008, a loyalist splinter group calling itself the "Real UVF" emerged briefly to make threats against Sinn Féin in County Fermanagh.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/sf-condemns-real-uvf-death-threats-1.828026 |title=SF condemns 'Real UVF' death threats |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=23 March 2019 |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928000739/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/sf-condemns-real-uvf-death-threats-1.828026 |url-status=live }}</ref><!--Incorrect link removed>-->

In the twentieth IMC report, the group was said to be continuing to put its weapons "beyond reach", (in the group's own words) to downsize, and reduce the criminality of the group. The report added that individuals, some current and some former members, in the group have, without the orders from above, continued with "localised recruitment", and although some continued to try and acquire weapons, including a senior member, most forms of crime had fallen, including shootings and assaults. The group concluded a general acceptance of the need to decommission, though there was no conclusive proof of moves towards this end.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independentmonitoringcommission.org/documents/uploads/Twentieth%20Report.pdf |title=412882_HC 1112_Text |access-date=29 July 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218015532/http://www.independentmonitoringcommission.org/documents/uploads/Twentieth%20Report.pdf |archive-date=18 December 2008}}</ref>

In June 2009 the UVF formally decommissioned their weapons in front of independent witnesses as a formal statement of decommissioning was read by [[Dawn Purvis]] and [[Billy Hutchinson]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8121842.stm 'Loyalist Weapons "put beyond use"'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923161239/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8121842.stm |date=23 September 2021 }} – BBC News, 27 June 2009</ref> The IICD confirmed that "substantial quantities of firearms, ammunition, explosives and explosive devices" had been decommissioned and that for the UVF and RHC, decommissioning had been completed.<ref>[http://www.nio.gov.uk/report_of_the_independent_international_commission_on_decommissioning.pdf 'Report of the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218162439/http://www.nio.gov.uk/report_of_the_independent_international_commission_on_decommissioning.pdf |date=18 February 2010}} – IICD, 4 September 2009</ref>