Published Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Earlier this month a special report from the Independent Monitoring Commission found that UVF members carried out the murder of Bobby Moffett.
Moffett, 43, was gunned down by two masked men in broad daylight on the Shankill Road on 28 May.
The killing was sanctioned by the organisation's central leadership who could have prevented it had it determined to do so, the IMC found.
On Wednesday night, interim leader John Kyle said the party had decided that its links with the UVF and the Red Hand Commando should be maintained.
"After much debate and open conversation, the membership decided to maintain the links with these organisations," Mr Kyle said in a statement.
"This was part of a programme of reflection and analysis which the party embarked upon following the resignation of its former leader."
Mr Kyle says the PUP gives voice to loyalists aiming to "move beyond violence and sectarianism."
He continued: "The PUP is funded on these core principles of social justice and conflict transformation.
"It has provided a vehicle for loyalists to actively participate in the political process.
"We cannot ignore our obligation to those who continue to be under-represented.
"We remain committed to giving a voice to working-class loyalists throughout Northern Ireland."
The party will hold a conference in October to "lay out a new direction", Mr Kyle said.
In June former party leader Dawn Purvis stood down from her role in protest over the UVF-sanctioned murder of Mr Moffett. She continue in politics as an independent MLA, representing east Belfast at Stormont.