UPDATE: |Union chief calls for ban in prisons after alleged attack by Hashem Abedi News

It was alleged that Hashem Abedi was responsible for a ‘vicious’, ‘unprovoked’ attack at HMP Frankland

A union boss argued that prisoners in segregation units should not be allowed to cook their own meals after Hashem Abedi allegedly attacked three prison officers using hot cooking oil and an ‘improvised weapon’.

Mark Fairhurst, chairman of the Prison Officers Association (POA), spoke out after the union named Abedi and claimed that he was responsible for a ‘vicious’, ‘unprovoked’ attack at HMP Frankland in Durham earlier today.

The POA said that officers suffered ‘life threatening’ injuries including ‘burns, scalds and stab wounds’. It alleged that ‘Abedi threw hot cooking oil over them’ before he allegedly ‘proceeded to stab the officers’ with an improvised weapon.

Abedi is serving a minimum of 55 years in prison after being convicted of the murders of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack on May 22, 2017, when his brother Salman Abedi activated a bomb. Hashem Abedi was in Libya at the time but plotted the atrocity with his sibling.

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: “An investigation is underway following a serious assault which occurred at Frankland prison, Durham today. Three victims were taken to hospital to be treated where two remain with serious injuries and a third has been discharged. Enquiries are now ongoing.”

The POA said that the incident occurred in a ‘separation centre’ within the jail. The centres, introduced in 2017, aim to control prisoners with extreme views, for example by preventing them from disrupting the prison estate, supporting acts of terrorism or radicalising other inmates.

An inspection in 2022 said that nine men in total were housed in separation centres, then operating in Frankland and HMP Woodhill, Buckinghamshire. It said the Frankland unit was on a narrow corridor with a small ‘room for association’ and an area for prisoners to cook and prepare food.

Mr Fairhurst told Sky News: “This attack was actually in a separation centre, at Frankland, which houses the most dangerous criminals that society throws at us. And part of the normal regime is to allow prisoners in that separation centre to cook their own meals.

“So this individual has been heating up cooking oil, has subdued the staff by throwing it over them, and then has proceeded to stab and slash them with a improvised weapon.”

In a statement issued earlier, he 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.” Mr Fairhurst also called on prison officers to be issued with stab vests.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Three prison officers have been treated in hospital after an attack by a prisoner at HMP Frankland. Police are now investigating so it would be inappropriate to comment further.

“Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest punishment for attacks on our hard-working staff.”

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood MP said on X: “I am appalled by the attack of three brave officers at HMP Frankland today. My thoughts are with them and their families.

“The police are now investigating. I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. Violence against our staff will never be tolerated.”

A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 10.50h today (12 April) to attend an incident at HM Prison Frankland in County Durham.

“We dispatched two paramedic ambulance crews, a doctor in a rapid response vehicle, the air ambulance with a second doctor, a specialist paramedic, a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) crew and a duty officer. We treated three patients before conveying all to hospital by road. Two of the patients were accompanied by a doctor.”