UPDATE: |Prison officers suffer ‘life threatening’ injuries after alleged attack by Hashem Abedi in HMP Frankland News

The brother of the Manchester Arena bomber ‘used cooking oil and home made weapons’ in the alleged attack

Three prison officers suffered ‘life threatening injuries’ after being stabbed and having hot cooking oil thrown over them by the brother of Manchester Arena bomber, it has been claimed.

Hashem Abedi, who was found guilty of murdering the 22 victims of the atrocity after plotting with his brother Salman, who killed himself, launched a ‘vicious’ attack on the officers at HMP Frankland in Durham, a union for prison officers alleged.

The Prison Officers’ Association said that the alleged ‘unprovoked’ attack happened earlier today.

In a statement, the union said: “The Officers received life threatening injuries including burns, scalds and stab wounds when Abedi threw hot cooking oil over them then produced home made weapons and proceeded to stab the Officers.”

Abedi is currently serving a minimum 55 year life sentence for the murders. The union’s National Chair Mark Fairhurst said: “First and foremost, my thoughts are with the injured staff, their families and colleagues. No Officer should be subject to cowardly and vicious attacks at work. The POA will support our members as much as we need during this traumatic time, this attack displays the dangers brave Prison Officers face on a daily basis.

“Separation Centres hold the most dangerous terrorist offenders who simply do not wish to alter their ideology and as this event confirms, are determined to inflict violence on those who hold them securely.

“We must now review the freedoms we allow separation centre prisoners have. I am of the opinion that allowing access to cooking facilities and items that can threaten the lives of staff should be removed immediately. These prisoners need only receive their basic entitlements and we should concentrate on control and containment instead of attempting to appease them. Things have to change.”

General Secretary Steve Gillan added: “This is a disgraceful and cowardly attack on Prison Officers at Frankland prison who were carrying out their duties.

“Prison Officers keep the general public safe but at this moment in time our thoughts are with the affected Officers, their colleagues and their families. No one goes to work to be assaulted and the POA will assess this vindictive act and liaise with HMPPS, Ministers to get justice for those Prison Officers.”