EXCLUSIVE | Ex-UVF gunman turned born-again Christian receives MBE from Prince William at Windsor Castle

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/ex-uvf-gunman-turned-born-again-christian-receives-mbe-from-prince-william-at-windsor-castle/a560010886.html

A former UVF gunman named in the New Year Honours list has now received his MBE from Prince William.

Earlier this year, it was revealed David Martin (62) would be honoured for his community work as the chair of the Friends of Brownlow House in Lurgan, Co Armagh.

Mr Martin joined the UVF with his older brother Tom as an 18-year-old in Lurgan in 1981, after spending nearly a year serving as a soldier in the UDR.

Government officials red-faced as they scramble to rescind MBE given to UVF gunman

Now a born-again Christian, he has talked at length about his paramilitary past on YouTube testimonials which seemingly were missed by the Honours and Appointments Secretariat, who oversee the strict vetting procedures of honours appointees.

In January, the Sunday Life reported that the former UVF gunman could have the honour rescinded, after details about his convictions for possessing firearms, false imprisonment and conspiracy to rob became widely known.

It was understood that the decision to award Mr Martin an MBE was the subject of an internal investigation.

He was defended by DUP MP Carla Lockhart who said his then-pending award was a “fitting recognition of his remarkable community work” and that Mr Martin was a “changed man”.

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“David Martin is someone I count as a true friend, a gentleman, and a person who, by God’s grace, has undergone a remarkable transformation,” she said.

“Over many years, David has made an outstanding contribution to our community. Under his steady hand as facilitator, countless schools have benefited from the educational displays at Brownlow House, which have inspired young people and helped to preserve our shared heritage.”

Mr Martin was awarded his MBE last week and said on social media it was a “once in lifetime experience”.

“Really honoured and privileged to attend investiture at Windsor Castle on Tuesday with my family, where His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales presented me with my MBE,” he wrote.

“Once in a lifetime experience, totally amazing. To God be the Glory.”

Ms Lockhart also took to social media to share a photograph of the former UVF man standing with his award outside Windsor Castle.

“Despite attempts to create difficulties, David’s decades of dedicated service to our community, his passion for preserving our shared heritage, and his tireless work in guiding young people have now been rightfully honoured by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales,” she said.

“David’s story is one of transformation, grace and service. Those who truly know him understand the depth of his contribution and the integrity with which he serves.

“Well done, David — you have earned this.”

The Martin brothers were among 20 loyalists identified as UVF members by loyalist supergrass Clifford McKeown, who gave evidence against his friends in return for a reduced sentence.

Recounting this, David Martin says in his online religious testimony: “A man (McKeown) decided he would give evidence against myself and Thomas and 20 other men from the group we were involved in. We found ourselves involved in one of these supergrass trials.”

After a two-week trial Martin was sentenced to 12 years in prison in November 1982 for a raft of terror offences, including possessing a sawn-off shotgun with his brother Thomas.

He was further convicted of false imprisonment, having a handgun in suspicious circumstances and conspiring to rob Blackskull post office.

Having begun their sentences on the UVF wing of the Maze Prison, the Martin brothers found God and were given permission to go into the general prison population.

Sectarian murderer McKeown died aged 65 last month.