Work stops on UVF mural that replaced George Best artwork 13 September 2013 Last updated at 18:32 Work on a paramilitary mural replacing an image of footballer George Best, has been halted after a public outcry. Councillor John Kyle said the negative reaction, including his own, to the masked gunman image had persuaded those behind it to reassess their plans. The new image was being dedicated to the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a paramilitary group that murdered more than 500 people during the Troubles. It is not clear what will now happen to the unfinished painting. The image of George Best on the wall at Inverwood Court, in east Belfast, had already been obliterated. The Best mural went up three years ago with European funding as part of a regeneration project managed by Belfast City Council to tackle sectarianism. "There are discussions going on with the people who were behind the changing of the mural and a recognition that there had been a huge public outcry," said Dr Kyle. "Street art should be positive and give hope to the community," he added.