Loyalists agree deal to end Maze protests

THE three day protest by loyalists in the Maze prison ended last night after the prisoners' political representatives brokered a compromise with the Northern Ireland Office.

The deal, which followed separate meetings at Stormont involving the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP) and the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP), centres on lock up arrangements during head counts introduced in a security crackdown after the discovery of an IRA escape tunnel in March.

The NIO said, while its "preference" was that prisoners should be locked in their cells for head counts, it would now allow them to assemble in the dining halls while checks were being carried out. The arrangement will be reviewed after a four week trial.

The statement added that as was normal after disturbances, H blocks 1 and 2 will be searched before the regime returns to normal and visiting rights are reinstated. Visits to H block 3, where UVF prisoners refused to co operate with the new security arrangements but did not engage in more active protests, resume today.

Prisoners remained in control of H blocks 1 and 2 yesterday as talks resumed. Prison staff did not return to the areas, even though prisoners kept a pledge made on Wednesday that the rooftop protests had ended. It is understood food was sent in as a result of that undertaking.

The UDP leader, Mr Gary McMichael, said he expected normality at the jail to be restored "within a day or so," with visits to prisoners restored by tomorrow. "The protest is over. Changes are still taking place, but they are acceptable to the prisoners."

The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, welcomed the ending of the protest, which he said would ease tensions at the prison. He warned the authorities they had to ensure all prisoners were treated "equally and humanely and that there is no return to the repressive regimes of the past."