An Ulster Defence Association leader in the Maze Prison has warned of the fragile state of the loyalist ceasefire. There were hopes last night that the involvement of senior politicians would help to defuse the crisis over loyalist prisoners. But the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, ruled out immediate movement on the issue.
The Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mr David Trimble, is to meet loyalist inmates today and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, will meet the Progressive Unionist Party, the political wing of the Ulster Volunteer Force, in Belfast tomorrow.
Mr Andrews said last night: "It would be a matter really for the British government to concern themselves with the prisoners, and I would like to see that issue accelerated." A meeting between Mr Trimble and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, at Downing Street was described by both sides as "constructive". It is understood Mr Blair listened sympathetically to UUP grievances.
Speaking after a series of meetings with different parties at Stormont, the Northern Secretary said: "The main theme of today has been the participants' determination not to be deflected by people who have no interest other than destroying the talks process."
But she ruled out immediate movement on prisoners: "I think it is an issue which has to be dealt with. But I have to say that after the events of last week, this is not the moment to address it.
"I fully accept it has to be addressed at some point, but there are many other issues which equally need addressing. What we need is to be back in the talks, with progress being made, for that to be a possibility."
The North's Political Development Minister, Mr Paul Murphy, said: "There needs to be some sort of kick-start to the process."
The leader of the UDA in the Maze Prison, Sam McRory, had warned earlier the loyalist ceasefire "probably is more shaky than ever". Speaking by telephone to Radio Ulster, he said: "We want to be treated equally. If they are going to give concessions to republicans, they have to give them to loyalists also."
The Sinn Fein chairman, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, said he was "bemused" by claims that the British government was making concessions to republicans.
Dr Mowlam continues her series of discussions today, including meetings with the UUP and Sinn Fein. In a statement, the UUP said it "will be keen to emphasise the need to refocus all the parties' attentions towards the Stormont negotiations". Mr Martin McGuinness said Sinn Fein would be urging Dr Mowlam to "keep her nerve and not be intimidated by this latest attempt at playing the Orange Card".
The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, rejected unionist calls for Dr Mowlam's resignation. "It's difficult to understand the attacks on the Secretary of State other than as cheap party politics."
Senior UUP sources said the party had urged Mr Blair to become more involved in the process. There was speculation the Prime Minister might issue a statement shortly on prisoners and the talks in general. Mr Trimble's meeting with the loyalist prisoners would be a "listening exercise" on the part of the UUP leader. It is understood the UUP delegation suggested means of resolving the prisons crisis to the Prime Minister.
There were continuing concerns that the PUP would not be present when the talks resume on Monday next. The Ulster Democratic Party wishes to be there but there were indications that its paramilitary associates in the UDA would prefer it to stay away.
After meeting Dr Mowlam, Mr Billy Hutchinson of the PUP said: "Not enough has happened today for me to be there next Monday." Meanwhile, the leader of Democratic Left, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, warned that unless urgent action was taken, "the whole process will spin out of control".