Former loyalist leader Glenn Barr dies aged 75

By Siobhan Fenton

Former loyalist leader Glenn Barr, who played a key role in the 1974 Ulster Workers Strike, has died aged 75.

Mr Barr, from Londonderry, died at Altnagelvin Hospital.

The Ulster Workers Strike caused the collapse of the Sunningdale powersharing administration, due to the disruption it caused.

During the Troubles, Mr Barr was a UDA leader for the North West area and visited Libya for talks with Colonel Gaddafi as part of a UDA delegation.

In the 1970s he became a politician in the Vanguard Progressive Unionist Party.

In recent years, he became an advocate for peace and reconciliation and was involved in community work, including setting up an employment and training scheme in Derry for local young people.

He also helped set up the Messines project which used the experiences of soldiers in the First World War to call for peaceful resolution to conflicts.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell paid tribute to Mr Barr, saying: "He worked hard at cross-community work, helping to build capacity in working-class unionist areas. Glenn was a tireless campaigner and vigorous in defence of his own views.

"Less than three weeks ago, we shared many reminiscences at a family wedding. He will be very sadly missed by us all. My deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Isa, and his children and grandchildren."