Slogans were spray-painted on an east Belfast church warning Bryan ‘Helmet’ Carlisle “God Won’t Save U”.
It happened after a picture of him holding a Bible appeared on social media.
Carlisle is a good friend of alleged former East Belfast UVF boss Stephen Matthews, who gave up the position at the end of last year after more than 20 years in charge.
Graffiti threatening Bryan Carlisle
This followed the UVF leadership announcing on Remembrance Sunday that senior figures in the gang had been ‘stood down’ for criminality and drug dealing.
Loyalists speculated that Matthews’ removal may have led to Carlisle’s public show of Christianity, but this was dismissed by sources close to Carlisle.
One said: “There is a group of agitators who are nothing to do with any section of the UVF or mainstream UDA who are phoning in death threats, writing nonsense on walls and trying to start trouble.
“They are trying to make it look like this is some kind of internal UVF issue in east Belfast, but everyone knows who is doing it.
“Helmet is a loyalist, and whatever differences there might be between the East Belfast UVF and Shankill, everyone is disgusted and won’t be having this.”
Several years ago, Carlisle was involved in a spat with the Tyrie family, who went public to say they had been forced out of the estate by the East Belfast UVF.
They relocated to Newtownabbey, with dad Andy Tyrie joining a flute band with links to the South East Antrim UDA.
Andy Tyrie
During the summer, he was filmed brawling with David Matthews, the son of reported former East Belfast UVF boss Stephen Matthews, in the centre of Belfast.
After the Bible photos of Carlisle appeared online, Andy Tyrie posted a comment saying: “Big rubber head. U would be as well just getting the boat.” Another relative wrote: “God won’t save U fat boy.”
There is no evidence linking the Tyries to the graffiti, which the PSNI is investigating.
Loyalist sources also dismissed claims the slogans were ordered by the East Belfast UVF’s new ‘brigadier’.
The veteran loyalist, who opposes drug dealing, is not interested in any confrontation with the unit’s former leadership.
Anti-drugs and anti-money lending posters plastered around east Belfast last week also have no links to him.
Our source said: “The new leader, all he wants is a smooth handover. He isn’t interested in any feuding. These posters and graffiti are an attempt to stir things up.”