BREAKING: New supermax jail models unveiled after Manchester enviornment bomb plotter assaults officers

New tougher supermax style units are set to be introduced for the most violent prisoners after Manchester Arena plotter Hashem Abedi allegedly attacked officers with hot cooking oil and homemade weapons last year.

The deputy PM, who is also the Justice Secretary, updated MPs on the findings of a review into how Abedi was able to carry out the alleged attack. He paid tribute to the injured officers and said the CCTV footage he had seen of the incident is “truly horrifying”.

Abedi, who helped his brother carry out the 2017 terrorist attack that left 22 dead, is accused of throwing hot oil and stabbing officers in the separation centre at HMP Frankland in County Durham on April 12.  Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, was tasked with looking into how the attack happened and the likelihood of it happening again.

Addressing the Commons, Mr Lammy said Mr Hall had identified a clear need to “transform” the way separation centres –  which house the most Islamic terrorists – are operated.  He continued: “That is why we will explore all available options to overhaul the system, including at the next spending review, the creation of new, tougher supermax style units for the most violent, disruptive prisoners.”

Mr Lammy said ministers will begin designing a new tiered system immediately based on rigorous new risk assessments of criminals. 

He added that Mr Hall found that the most dangerous offenders “actively seek out weaknesses to exploit” separation centres and that “the underlying risk posed by certain terrorist prisoners can never be entirely removed”.

Mr Lammy also said the European Convention of Human Rights, including article eight, poses some challenges “on the ability to manage terrorist and other dangerous offenders”. He said the Government will consider bringing in new legislation to protect decisions made by experience staff in separation centres. 

The Cabinet minister also said his department will continue to invest in the tools and training to support staff to manage terrorists risks in “uniquely dangerous environments“.

In October, Abedi denied attempting to murder three officers. He also entered not guilty pleas to one count of assault causing actual bodily harm and one of possessing offensive weapons inside a jail. The case is due to go to trail in January 2027.

A month after Abedi’s attack, Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was investigated by police after allegedly throwing boiling water over an officer.

Abedi is serving a 55-year minimum term for helping his suicide bomber brother Salman murder 22 people in May 2017. He was arrested in Libya the following day and successfully extradited to the UK in July 2019.

At the Old Bailey in August 2020, he offered no defence to the charges that he had helped Salman plan the attack at an Ariana Grande concert. 

This is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link. You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads – or visit The Mirror homepage.