During an look earlier than the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Mr Bryson additionally known as on the police to sort out any loyalist paramilitary teams who’re concerned in criminality.
Mr Bryson had beforehand appeared publicly with the DUP chief at numerous rallies protesting towards the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol.
A letter despatched by Mr Bryson final month to unionist leaders within the area on behalf of Unionist Voice Policy Studies (UVPS) prompt that there could be a return to “mass road protests” if the DUP returned to authorities at Stormont whereas the post-Brexit the Irish Sea buying and selling border remained.
In his response, Sir Jeffrey stated his get together would make its personal choices on any take care of the UK Government over buying and selling issues, including: “We won’t bow to stress, threats or blackmail, no matter what supply it comes from.”
Referring to the letter despatched by Mr Bryson, committee chair Simon Hoare stated the correspondence had “explicitly threatened violence on the streets”.
Mr Bryson responded: “Emphatically I reject the suggestion that there was any risk in any respect within the letter, not to mention a risk of violence. What the letter stated was that the evaluation was that protests would take place.”
Mr Hoare stated Sir Jeffrey had taken it as a risk.
Mr Bryson stated he had spoken to the DUP chief, including Sir Jeffrey had not seen it as a risk.
Mr Hoare then requested the loyalist activist what his particular relationship was with the DUP chief, stating at one level they have been seen as “almost as Siamese twins”.
Mr Bryson stated: “I characterize varied lobbying teams, advocacy teams, and Jeffrey Donaldson engages with me to listen to the views of these teams.
“Jeffrey Donaldson engages with many teams throughout the piste.
“He is the political chief, he listens to his constituents, listens to the folks he represents after which he takes all of these views on board, goes again to his get together and makes his personal choices.
“The notion that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who I feel has been an MP over 30 years, an elected chief with a mandate, must ask me for permission to decide is, fairly frankly, for the birds.”
Mr Hoare requested Mr Bryson if he would describe himself as a paramilitary.
Mr Bryson stated: “Emphatically not. I’ve not ever been concerned in any paramilitary organisation in any form or kind. That has been substantiated by the PSNI.
“That is to not say I do not interact.”
DUP committee member Jim Shannon requested concerning the involvement of loyalist paramilitary teams in criminality, referencing an ongoing feud between gangs in Newtownards.
Mr Bryson stated: “We have a prison medication gang who have been expelled from one other group. Who then took themselves the title the so-called Real UFF.
“An organisation which has no credibility, is just not recognised in loyalism. They are a medication gang who’ve terrorised Newtownards and the group are at their wit’s finish.
“We want the PSNI to rid these drug sellers and criminals from our group, it’s a policing challenge, it’s not a difficulty for loyalists or conflict-related teams to take care of.
“They have to become familiar with it and they should take care of it.”
