Loyalist Maze protest ends

The loyalist protest at the Maze prison ended last night after a breakthrough during crisis meetings between loyalist politicians and Northern Ireland security officials.

Ulster Democratic Party leader Gary McMichael said that after two days of talks, the prison authorities had agreed that loyalists should not be subjected to lock-ups and head counts. Two earlier meetings had ended without agreement.

He was speaking after discussing the matter with leaders of the prisoners, who include members of the paramilitary Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Freedom Fighters. Simon Reeve