Counterterrorism police are leading an investigation into an attack on three prison officers by brothers of the Manchester Arena bomber.
Hashem Abedi, who planned the 2017 bombing, attacked three prison officers with hot cooking oil in a high-security prison, the Prison Officers Association (POA) said.
The prison confirmed Abedi carried out a “unprovoked” and “malicious” attack on HMP Frankland in Durham County on Saturday.
He is reportedly threw boiling oil at the officers before stabbing them with a “homemade weapon.”
The POA said he suffered life-threatening injuries, including burns, skulls and stab wounds. All three officers were treated at the hospital, and one female officer was discharged by 4pm on Saturday.
Abedi was killed in August 2020 for supporting his brother Salman Abedi, who had been involved in a suicide bombing at Manchester Arena in 2017. The attack killed 22 people and injured hundreds more.
In response to the attack, Judicial Secretary of State Shabana Mahmoud wrote to X:
“The police are currently investigating. I will seek the strongest possible punishment. Violence against staff will never be tolerated.”
HMP Frankland is a Category A prison with the highest level of security. It is understood that the incident took place within the separation centre. This is a special facility aimed at quarantining prisoners in extreme views.
Mark Fairhurst, POA's national chair, said: “The separation centre holds the most dangerous terrorist criminals who simply don't want to change their ideology and are determined to inflict violence on those who keep them safe, as this incident confirms.”
He sought an urgent review of privileges available to terrorist offenders in custody.
“I think it is necessary to remove any immediate permission to allow access to cooking facilities and items that could threaten the lives of our staff.
“These prisoners only receive basic qualifications and we need to focus on control and containment rather than appease them. Things have to change.”
A spokesman for Prison Services said: “After the prisoner attack in HMP Frankland, three prison officers were treated at the hospital. It is inappropriate to comment further as police are currently investigating.
“Prison violence is unacceptable. We always seek the strongest punishment for attacks on hard-working staff.”
