LOYALISTS have warned that tensions in the North could rise to breaking point if a hunger striker' by Loyalist Volunteer Force prisoners is not resolved.
Five inmates at the Maze Prison were yesterday on their fourth day without food. They are being led by Billy Wright, the dissident Portadown loyalist, and are protesting about conditions in the jail. They claim they are not receiving the same treatment as other prisoners and are being denied church services, education - and weekend visits because they, are opposed to the peace process.
A Shankill Road pastor and former loyalist prisoner, Mr Kenny McClinton, yesterday visited the men. Speaking after a four hour meeting, he called on the prison authorities to take action to stop the,trouble spreading. "One wants to immediately defuse the situation," Mr McClinton said. "If midUlster loyalists are on an emotive hunger strike coming up to Drumcree on July 6th, it could have dire consequences for the stability of this country."
The LVF, which was banned by the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, earlier this week, is made up of mainly dissident UVF members from MidUlster who are opposed to both the peace process and the loyalist ceasefire. However, it also has members in Belfast and Aritrim and has attracted some UDA activists who are unhappy with their leadership's political stance.
The LVF is believed to have been responsible for two recent murders. Last month it abducted and killed a leading GAA member, Sean Brown, in Bellaghy, Co Derry. Last weekend it issued a death threat against prison officers, which it has since lifted.
There are 15 LVF prisoners in the Maze, and other inmates are said to want to join the group. Loyalists say that more men could join the five hungerstrikers.
The prisoners have pledged to refuse food until they receive the same privileges as other inmates. The prison authorities have said they are not discriminating against the LVF but that its prisoners cannot mix with other loyalists because of security considerations.
The Combined Loyalist Military Command last year issued a death threat against Billy Wright and another leading loyalist, Alex Kerr, who is now also in the Maze. It is believed that attempts might be made to kill the pair.