Loyalists end prison-officer attacks

A loyalist terrorist group has ordered its members to end attacks on prison officers' homes in connection with protests at the Maze jail.

The ultra hardline Loyalist Volunteer Force called for mediation to resolve the dispute at the top security prison. LVF inmates caused an estimated pounds 250,000 damage last Wednesday when they went on the rampage, demanding equal rights to other prisoners. Several gun and petrol bomb attacks were also launched on the homes of serving and retired prison officers.

But in a statement using a recognised codeword yesterday, the LVF said: "The ruling army council has ordered its units not to attack prison officers' homes in order to let mediation take place about the crisis in the jail."