EXCLUSIVE
THE UVF will fold once veteran chief John 'Bunter' Graham leaves the job.
BOWING OUT: John 'Bunter' Graham is tipped to leave the job
That's the fear among the terrorist group's veterans as they consider a life after Graham who has been at the helm of the organisation for more than 40 years. Graham suffers from ill-health and there has been much speculation as to who will fill his chair. Brigade staff are understood to be split over the succession, with potential candidates dividing opinion. Bunter has his detractors - particularly over his alleged links to British intelligence agencies and his suspected connection with the death of a number of high-profile UVF members - but he has remained at the top of the tree for more than four decades.
Sources have told us that while many are critical of his leadership, the alternatives are even less palatable. That's one of the reasons why there is a push to clean up the organisation. Whatever his shortcomings and questions over his links to MI5, he is credited with holding the organisation together. The fear is the alternatives to take over are so divisive that veterans believe the organisation will simply splinter and fall apart.
DISLIKED: 'Harmless' Harry Stockman
The favourite to take over is Bunter's long-time right hand man 'Harmless' Harry Stockman (pictured above). He has been at Graham's side for years but is not a popular figure among members. Stockman's popularity plummeted after the cold-blooded execution of Bobby Moffett in May 2010. Moffett was well respected on the Shankill Road in north Belfast and his murder - shot in the face at point blank-range in broad daylight - sparked fury.
The leadership, including Graham, was accused of sanctioning the execution and Stockman became a hate figure.
In April 2011 he was fighting for his life after he was stabbed as he left the Tesco supermarket on the Ballygomartin Road in north Belfast.
Spotted by UVF man Dee Madine, he was knifed a number of times.
UVF execution of Bobby Moffett was sanctioned by UVF leadership whilst claiming it was on ceasefire. #CollusionIsNotAnIllusion
Madine has since been released from prison after serving his sentence in solitary confinement and is understood to have left NI.
Stockman was not active during the conflict, something veterans believe should rule him out.
"Stockman has no friends," said our source. "If he takes over from Bunter it will be the end of the UVF, he cannot command any loyalty or respect."
"There are a lot of question marks over Bunter, but he has stayed there."
The only other realistic alternative is Winston 'Winkie' Irvine.
Once the pin-up bhoy for loyalism, he too has become a figure of hate. He's currently on bail on a series of charges relating to the discovery of guns and ammunition in his car.
Shankill sources say he is so distrusted that he dare not be seen on the Shankill.
Follow these links to find out more on this story: REVEALED: THE TOP UVF BOSS WHO CHEATED DEATH IN BOBBY MOFFETT REVENGE STABBING
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