12 Facts About Tommy Kirkham

Tommy Kirkham is a Northern Ireland loyalist political figure and former councillor.

From his base in Rathcoole, Tommy Kirkham then became a member of the Ulster Democratic Party and stood as the party's candidate in a February 1995 by-election in Rathcoole but was unsuccessful.

Tommy Kirkham returned to the council at the 1997 local elections in the Macedon electoral area.

Tommy Kirkham became a leading spokesman for the UPRG whilst serving as an independent on Newtownabbey Borough Council.

Tommy Kirkham is registered as the leader of the Ulster Protestant League, although it is unclear whether or not this organisation exists beyond Kirkham, who is labelled as an Independent Unionist in Newtownabbey.

Tommy Kirkham's appointment was condemned by councillors representing that UUP and Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, who accused the DUP of blocking their access to leading posts by appointing an independent.

Tommy Kirkham was involved in an initiative to move loyalism away from racism, joining David Ervine in backing the Loyalist Commission-led scheme that started up in response to allegations of links between the UDA and Combat 18 and the involvement of the Ulster Volunteer Force in attacks on Belfast's Chinese community.

Tommy Kirkham remained an important spokesman for the UPRG, particularly following the removal of Johnny Adair in early 2003, and in February of that year it was Kirkham who was chosen to read a statement from the UDA leadership in which they announced an indefinite extension to their ceasefire.

Tommy Kirkham reacted to the move by vowing to remain in his area.

Tommy Kirkham remains as head of Beyond Conflict and has argued that the group has undertaken eight steps towards demilitarisation, including ending paramilitary activity in his area, working with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and working on cultural diversity programmes.

In December 2010 Tommy Kirkham gave evidence at a historical murder trial of a Catholic killed in Belfast in 1973.

Tommy Kirkham was threatened with arrest if he did not appear at the trial.