[3] who had played a rolle within the political and social peace talks in Northern Ireland,[4] along with UKIP Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) David McNarry, and Progressive Unionist Party leader Billy Hutchinson.
[3] The organisation was launched on 13 October 2015 at a press conference fronted by Powell, McNarry and Hutchinson in response to the perceived neglect and social and political disenfranchisement of working class loyalists.
[5][6] On the council's launch Dr Ian McNie, then moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said We acknowledge the efforts made to encourage loyalist paramilitaries to participate constructively in an ongoing process towards a better society.
[3]At the time of the council's launch, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson who would later become party leader said the organisation could be a positive step towards a more normal society.
The fact that three paramilitary groups have given their backing to this initiative is a positive statement of intent that they are prepared to look at how we can move forward in Northern Ireland.