Three prison officers have been attacked by the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, the prison officers’ union has said.
The Prison Officers Association (POA) said Hashem Abedi – the brother of Salman Abedi – threw hot cooking oil over the guards before stabbing them with homemade weapons.
He was sentenced in 2020 to at least 55 years in prison after being found guilty of 22 counts of murder over the 2017 atrocity.
The three officers were taken to hospital after the attack at Frankland prison, in County Durham, shortly before 11am on Saturday.
A female officer is understood to have now been discharged.
The POA said they suffered “life-threatening injuries” including burns, scalds and stab wounds.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood 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.
Politics latest: Emergency steel bill passes both Houses of Parliament
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe admitted to hospital after being ‘unwell for a number of days’
A remarkable step by the government – and Donald Trump, China and Reform UK have all played their part
“The police are now investigating. I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. Violence against our staff will never be tolerated.”
The POA said the attack happened in a separation centre, a small unit sometimes referred to as a “prison within a prison” usually used to house dangerous prisoners and those deemed a risk of radicalising other inmates.
Twenty-two people were killed when Salman Abedi detonated a bomb as people were leaving an Ariana Grande concert at the venue.
He died in the attack, while hundreds of others were injured.
Hashem Abedi was found guilty by a jury of 22 counts of murder, attempted murder and plotting to cause an explosion likely to endanger life.
He helped source, buy, stockpile and transport the components for his brother’s bomb, jurors previously heard, using a number of phones, vehicles and addresses in preparation for the attack.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
