Provisional IRA prisoners in the H-blocks at the Maze prison intend to start a hunger strike in 10 days. The move was announced yesterday in a statement smuggled out of the jail.

It said that several men, representing the 343 prisoners taking part in the so-called dirty protest, would begin the fast.

The Northern Ireland Office said that the European Commission of Human Rights had made clear there was no basis in law or morality for the political status which the men were seeking.

“The Government has made equally clear that while determined to make conditions in prison of the highest standard, it is not prepared to create gradations of crime. There will be no compromise on the principle of political status.

It is believed that the men decided to begin the hunger strike against the wishes of IRA leaders on the outside. They were put off earlier this year while the Roman Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal O’Fiaich, had meetings with Mr Humphrey Atkins, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Long Meadow 1982 Rita Donah

However, Mr Michael Alison, the Minister responsible for prisons in Northern Ireland , said recently that the Government would not be held to ransom by a hunger strike.

The prisoners' statement said they were confident that the support of the Irish people would be much in evidence in the days to come.

That line led to fears that the Provisional IRA would renew its violence. One target has been prison officers. Eighteen have died.