Re-establishment
The Ulster Democratic Party, which had succeeded the earlier Ulster Loyalist Democratic Party, dissolved in 2001 and the UPRG was re-established soon afterwards.
The UPRG came to wider prominence in 2003 after West Belfast brigadier Johnny Adair had been expelled from the movement and the UDA leadership decided to present a more civilian face. On 22 February 2003 a new one year ceasefire extension was announced at a hotel in east Belfast but this was presented as a UPRG event, with journalists' questions being answered by the likes of Frank McCoubrey, Sammy Duddy, Frankie Gallagher, Jim Wright and Tommy Kirkham, all of whom had emerged as the leading figures on the group. The ceasefire was indefinitely extended in January 2004 and once again it was left to the UPRG to make the announcement.
Although the UPRG is not a registered political party some members have gained elected office. McCoubrey is a member of Belfast City Council ostensibly as an independent (and was formerly deputy Lord Mayor of the city), whilst Kirkham (a member of Newtownabbey Borough Council) is also registered as the leader of the Ulster Protestant League, a title he has never used in elections.
Read more about this topic: Ulster Political Research Group